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Artist
René Touzet
12+ albums
jazz pianojazzcubalatinpianist
about
René Touzet y Monte (b. Havana, Cuba, September 8, 1916 – d. Miami, Florida, June 15, 2003) was a Cuban-born American composer, pianist and bandleader. Living in the city of Cojimar, he learned classical piano from the age of 4, and went on to study at the Falcón Conservatory in Havana. By 1934 his classical training ended because of his family’s financial hardship, and he accepted a job as a pianist in Luis Rivera’s jazz band. Soon afterwards he became the leader of a 16-piece orchestra, playing big band music at the Grand Casino in Havana, and also began writing his own compositions. One of his most famous songs, "No Te Importe Saber", was recorded with lyrics by Mitchell Parish as "Let Me Love You Tonight", by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. In 1944, after his club in Cuba was destroyed by a hurricane, Touzet moved to the USA where he joined a band led by Enrique Madriguera. The band then moved to Hollywood, where Touzet met Desi Arnaz, and joined his band for a while. He also worked as pianist, songwriter and arranger with Xavier Cugat and Stan Kenton. After forming his own orchestra in the mid-1950s, he successfully recorded ten albums for producer Gene Norman on his GNP Crescendo label between 1956 and 1966, and performed regularly at Norman’s club. One of his best known arrangements of this period, "El Loco Cha Cha", provided R&B singer Richard Berry with the riff for his classic pop song "Louie Louie". Touzet remained a popular bandleader through
top songs
albums
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The Best of Rene Touzet (His Piano and Orchestra)
Bottle Rocket
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The Best Of Rene Touzet (His Piano and Orchestra)
Julie Is Her Name
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The Best of René Touzet
Touzet Goes to the Movies
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Afro Cuban Jazz
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The Best of Rene Touzet
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Goes to the Movies
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Too Much!
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René Touzet & The Cha Cha Rhythm Boys
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Pachanga Diferente