By: Yvonne Cloutier / Musical Moments Ernesto Lecuona’s composing and pianistic styles were compared to George Gershwin’s. His compositions influenced recognition of the Latin American world, raising Latin music to classical status. This most important Latin/American musicologist, composer and entertainer of the early 20th century was born in Cuba in 1895. As with so many composers and musicians, he was a child prodigy. At age 3, his oldest sister gave him piano lessons; by 5 he gave his first piano recital; at 11 composed his first song; age 16, graduated from the Havana National Conservatory with a gold medal for interpretation; and at 24, composed his first operetta - eventually composing 50 staged musicals. They ran the gamut of musical styles. Early on, though trained classically, Lecuona’s interest in pop music led him to compose La Comparsita. It was a beginning of his amalgamating Spanish/European music using Cuban and African rhythms (similar to ragtime) in blending this music. He then became a prolific composer of song/music for stage and film, composing over 600 musical pieces. His greatest hit, Always in My Heart, was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Some of his other hits were: Sibone and The Breeze and I. Its music taken from Andulucia, was made famous by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. His renowned piano piece, Malaguena, was written in a Flamenco dance style. A possible influence on Ernesto’s pop interest was when his father died. In helping support the family, he worked playing the piano at silent movie bistros. Lecuona founded the Havana Symphony Orchestra; helped set up a piano roll factory of Cuban music; started a copyright company for preservation of Cuban music; founded the Cuban Institute of Musical de la Habana and wrote the magnificent Rapsodia Cubana. Lecuona became a wealthy man, didn’t drink alcoholic beverages, never married and owned and maintained a farm in Cuba. He moved to the U.S. when Castro took over Cuba. In 1963, at 68, Lucuona died of an asthma attack. He was inducted into the 1997 Songwriters Hall of Fame. His 1954 Ultimate Collection album is a collection of his own well-known piano recordings. Yvonne Cloutier, a former teacher/principal, with a music background, specializes in ragtime piano. She researches and reports about music on SCA-TV.com/Anthem Alive! You can contact her at www.mytimeisragtime.com. 14 The Cuban Gershwin March 2019 A Classic Film By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories thought I’d write this month about a strange I little film I did in 1964 called “Spider Baby.” It was a very low, (and I mean low) budget film. Right around eleven dollars. Ok, I’m exaggerating, but it was about $65,000.00 which in the film world is nothing! It was filmed in only 13 days. The reason I opted to do this film was because it starred Lon Chaney Jr. I was a big fan of his and thought it would be fun to work with him. Boy, was I right! He was wonderful and I adored him. There is a scene where he is supposed to cry, and should you ever see it, those were REAL tears! He was passionate about doing this little film, but sadly he never got to see it because he died before it was ever released. And I kid you not, a couple of weeks ago, they actually showed Spider Baby on Turner Classic television. Can you believe it? I would hardly call it a “classic” given the fact that the budget was so low, the time frame of making it was so short and it was all very “campy” and “tongue in cheek.” In fact, if you Google “Spider Baby the movie” you’ll see the trailer and in it, they even left in an “out take” of me making a face - which they also left in the movie! Spider Baby featuring (left to right) our Beverly, Sid Haig, Jill Banner and Lon Chaney, The movie sat dormant for many years until Quentin Tarantino saw it. He is a friend of Jack Hill, the writer/director and he was instrumental in getting it released. It now has a huge cult following, along with its own website. They have even made Spider Baby t-shirts, dolls, cartoons etc. and to my surprise, has fans from all over the world! Who knew? Interestingly, without doubt, one of the most classic and memorable films of all time “Casablanca” received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97. And Spider Baby received just under that, at 92! What? At any rate, Spider Baby remains one of my favorites, simply because of working with Lon Chaney Jr. I am blessed indeed. Until next time, remember you’re not fully dressed without your smile. Beverly Washburn graced the silver screen as a child actress and is the author of Reel Tears. You can contact Beverly at: bjradell@ hotmail.com. Check out her awesome, new website: www. beverlywashburn.com.
Presents Beverly Washburn & MOVIE, RADIO & TV STAR! Magic Moments Hollywood Memories TICKET HOTLINE Join us for a delightful evening filled with Conversation, Clips and Chuckles with Beverly Washburn, movie, radio & TV star, and our very own Vegas Voice columnist. Hosted by Jay Nagle 702 755-3799 www.thevegasvoice.net/tickets Sun City MacDonald Ranch Sat. Mar. 23, 2019 trr INrrt Doors at 6:30 pm. Show begins at 7pm. Tickets: $ 2O. 00 $ 2O. 00 TICKET HOTLINE 702 755-3799 www.thevegasvoice.net/tickets 15