The band was founded by Ernesto Lecuona, whose role was that of a patron-entrepreneur. He did not actually play with the band, but sometimes give a piano recital before the band played. The core of the band was put together in 1931 as Orquesta Encanto; the band changed name early in 1934. On tour in Europe, in 1934, Lecuona returned to Cuba, and Armando Oréfiche took charge of the band in Europe. Ernesto gave them the gift of his name, which, at the time, was a property well worth having, and the right to use a number of his compositions.
The LCB was exceptional strong in arrangements, compositions and instrumental quality (most of them could play two or three instruments). Their only weak spot was the lack of a really first-rate Cuban singer, but that was not so important as might seem because they played so often to non-latin audiences. Some of their pick-up singers could sing in English, and many of their numbers were instrumentals. The band played the full range of Cuban popular music, but their speciality was the conga. Though it was perhaps Eliseo Grenet who first composed a conga in its ballroom dance style, it was certainly the LCB who took it round the world and made it famous. The LCB was therefore the first conjunto to use the conga drum regularly in its performances, and not Arsenio Rodríguez as is often supposed.
The band initially organized itself as a collective, but in practice Armando Oréfiche (composer, arranger, pianist) was the leader. Other leading band members were Ernesto 'Jaruco' Vázquez (trumpeter, guitarist, composer, arranger); Adalberto 'Chiquito' Oréfiche (tenor sax and bongo); Agustin Bruguera (timbales, conga, voice); Gerardo Bruguera (tenor sax and clarinet); Jesús Bertomeu (trombone); Jorge Domínguez (alto sax, clarinet, violin); Daniel González (alto sax, clarinet, violin); Guillermo Hernández (guitar, tumba, guiro, maracas); Enrique López Rivero (trumpet) 1932 34; Alberto Rabagliatti (voice) engaged 1934; later Fernando Díaz and Luis Escalante were engaged as replacement trumpeters.
The band toured throughout the world: the USA, Latin America and Europe were the main tours. When World War II broke out, the band went to Latin America and continued their touring there. After WWII there was a dispute within the band, which ended in a split. Armando Oréfiche left with a few members, and started the Havana Cuban Boys; the rest stayed under the old name, based in New York until 1960. The Lecuona Cuban Boys continued to tour, and finally retired in 1975.
Cachita
Lecuona Cuban Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
tengo una rumbita
pa' que tu la bailes como bailo yo.
Muchahcha bonita
mi linda Cachita
la rumba caliente es mejor que el fox.
Se divierte así el francés,
y se alegra el irlandés,
y hasta el musulmán.
Pa' la rumba no hay fronteras,
pues se baila hasta en el Polo,
yo ya he visto bailar solo
hasta un esquimal.
Oyeme Cachita
tengo una rumbita
pa' que tu la bailes como bailo yo.
Muchahcha bonita
mi linda Cachita
la rumba caliente es mejor que el fox.
Mira que se rompen ya de gusto las maracas
y el de los timbales ya se quiere alborotar.
Y el que tenga algún quejado
que se busque su Cachita
y le diga ven negrita
vamos a rumbear.
Y el que tenga algún pesar
que se busque su Cachita
y le diga ven negrita
vamos a rumbear.
The song "Cachita" by Lecuona Cuban Boys is an upbeat and lively rumba that encourages listeners, particularly women, to dance along. The lyrics revolve around the singer, who addresses his beloved Cachita, telling her that he has a rumba that he wants her to dance with him. He praises Cachita, calling her a beautiful girl, and tells her that hot rumba beats are better than the "fox" (a popular dance genre of the time). The song then goes on to say that people from all over the world love to dance to rumba beats, regardless of their cultural background or nationality. The song ends with a call for anyone feeling down to find their own Cachita and go dancing.
The song's main theme is escapism and unity through music, as it encourages listeners to forget their troubles and just dance to the beat of the rumba. The lyrics also highlight the universality of music, as it brings happiness and joy to people regardless of their background, ethnicity or nationality. The song’s rumba beat, cheerful lyrics and its message of unity continue to resonate with listeners, making it a staple in Latin American music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oyeme Cachita
Listen to me Cachita
tengo una rumbita
I have a little rumba
pa' que tu la bailes como bailo yo.
So that you can dance it like I do.
Muchacha bonita
Pretty girl
mi linda Cachita
My lovely Cachita
la rumba caliente es mejor que el fox.
The hot rumba is better than the fox.
Se divierte así el francés,
The French has fun like that,
y también el alemán.
And also the German.
y se alegra el irlandés,
And the Irish enjoy it,
y hasta el musulmán.
And even the Muslim.
Pa' la rumba no hay fronteras,
For the rumba, there are no borders,
pues se baila hasta en el Polo,
Because it is danced even in the poles,
yo ya he visto bailar solo
I have seen the eskimo dance alone
hasta un esquimal.
to the rumba.
Mira que se rompen ya de gusto las maracas
Look how the maracas are already breaking with joy.
y el de los timbales ya se quiere alborotar.
And the timbales player wants to stir things up.
Y el que tenga algún quejado
And whoever has any complaints
que se busque su Cachita
Should find their own Cachita
y le diga ven negrita
And tell her 'come on, little black girl'
vamos a rumbear.
Let's go to rumba
Y el que tenga algún pesar
And whoever has any sorrow
que se busque su Cachita
Should find their own Cachita
y le diga ven negrita
And tell her 'come on, little black girl'
vamos a rumbear.
Let's go to rumba.
Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.