Pupi Campo (1920-2011)

“Infernal heat”

From the New York Times obit:

Several Latin musicians who went on to become stars played in Mr. Campo’s band, among them Tito Puente, Joe Loco and Cachao López.

Jacinto Campillo (Pupi was his nickname, and he later compressed his last name) was born in Havana on May 1, 1920, to Jacinto and Delores Trujillo Campillo.

He came to New York when he was 20 and was soon performing as a dancer at a Manhattan nightclub. There he met Diosa Costello, a stage actress, whom he married a year later. Through Ms. Costello, Mr. Campo met the columnist Walter Winchell, who suggested that he become a bandleader.

It was a good idea. In a 2003 review of bands from the past, Latin Beat magazine wrote of “the infernal heat radiated” by the Campo band.