Latin Holiday - Dante Varela

I Want To Be Happy

The Ravel Murder Case

Latin Holiday
Cha - Chas And Mambos
Dante Varela And His Orchestra
Decca DL 8851
1959

After listening to few decent Latin records this week, I happen to put this one on the table and heard some fantastic music.

Tracks on this somewhat obscure space age Latin album are first arranged in a more or less traditional fashion and then a track will morph into small combo jazz. This is sophisticated period Latin lounge.

The engineering is also outstanding.

From the back cover: Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mr. Varela is a triple-threat conductor-pianist-composer who has built himself a solid reputation as an authentic and highly original Latin music-maker. His talents are often directed, with equal authority, toward jazz and ballads. The composer of over 17 popular songs, he has also written important piano suites and several orchestral works.

Mr. Varela studied piano with Vincenzo Scaramuzza and studied saxophone and clarinet with his father, Benito Varela, Professor of Music at the "Don Bosco" schools in Buenos Aires for over 20 years. Organizing his first orchestra at the age of 20, he came to the United States soon after.

's Wonderful
Younger Than Springtime
Just In Time
I Want To Be Happy
Body And Soul
The Song Is You
Bernie's Tune
Hello Young Lovers
Gone With The Wind
Sweet Sue, Just You
Angel Eyes
The Ravel Murder Case