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With dancers Meche Barba and Silvestre Mendez

Benny Moré

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A surprisingly boppish dance number

Beny Moré (1919-63) was a very popular Cuban singer, songwriter and bandleader.in the 1940s and ‘50s.

On this rare film clip, Moré and his orchestra accompany dancers Meche Barba and Silvestre Mendez.

What makes this rousing performance particularly noteworthy is that the band begins the arrangement by playing most of a chorus of Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology.”

The big band sounds a bit boppish throughout, almost like Dizzy Gillespie’s orchestra of the era, and displays plenty of spirit.

-Scott Yanow

Jazz on the Tube has an entire section devoted Cuba and its music.

Details here: Jazz on the Tube – Cuba

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