Pablo Valenzuela

José Pablo Valenzuela García (2 March 1859 – 25 December 1926) was a leading Cuban cornetist, composer and bandleader.

García was born in San Antonio de los Baños. After taking his first lessons in music under his father Lucas, he moved to Havana. There he first joined the orchestra of Manuel Espinosa, before joining La Flor de Cuba, the leading band of the day. This had come under the direction of his brother Raimundo after the death of its founder, and at some stage the name was changed to Orquesta Valenzuela.

Raimundo died in his fifties in 1905, after which the band was under Pablo's direction. Now it was possible for Cuban bands to record their music, and the Orquesta Valenzuela was one of the earliest to take advantage of the opportunity: they recorded about 120 numbers. In 1906 there were 40 recordings on Edison cylinders; in 1909 23 numbers for Columbia Records, and 56 numbers with Victor Records. The last recordings were in 1919; there were about 120 numbers in all, most of which were danzones. Of his compositions, some became lasting hits: Coco seco, El congo libre, La frita, La niña, La Patti negra, María Teresa, El garrotín.

The band dispersed after Pablo died, aged 67, in Havana in 1926.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 2, 1859, Died December 25, 1926

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1919

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, cornet, guitar, composer, arranger

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 88 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor J-48 12-in. 1/9/1911 El chivo del arsenal Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor J-49 12-in. 1/9/1911 La Habana alegre Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-130 12-in. 3/26/1913 Matuzalem Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-131 12-in. 3/26/1913 El guitarrico Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet, composer  
Victor M-132 12-in. 3/26/1913 Barbero de Sevilla : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-133 12-in. 3/26/1913 Casita criolla Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-134 12-in. 3/26/1913 Ley corona Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-135 12-in. 3/26/1913 Apolo Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-136 12-in. 3/26/1913 El bateo Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor L-137 10-in. 3/26/1913 Martí Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor L-138 10-in. 3/26/1913 Zayas no fué Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor L-139 10-in. 3/26/1913 El bombín de Barreto Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor L-140 10-in. 3/26/1913 La frita Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet, composer  
Victor L-141 10-in. 3/26/1913 Coco seco Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, composer, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-142 12-in. 3/26/1913 Carabalí Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor M-143 12-in. 3/26/1913 Marina Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor L-144 10-in. 3/26/1913 El negro bueno Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Orchestra leader, instrumentalist, cornet  
Victor L-152 10-in. 9/6/1913 Napoleón Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-153 10-in. 9/6/1913 La de a cuatro mil Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-154 10-in. 9/6/1913 Galli Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-166 10-in. 9/7/1913 No siempre he de vivir penando Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-167 10-in. 9/7/1913 Giralda Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-168 10-in. 9/7/1913 Natalia Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-169 10-in. 9/7/1913 Entra zamba Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor L-170 10-in. 9/7/1913 La limeña Estudiantina Chalaca Instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
(Results 26-50 of 88 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Valenzuela, Pablo," accessed May 27, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100873.

Valenzuela, Pablo. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 27, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100873.

"Valenzuela, Pablo." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 27 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100873

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