Cheo Marquetti
Encyclopedia
José "Cheo" Marquetti was an important but underappreciated Cuban singer (reginero and sonero) and songwriter in the guajira-son style.
Marquetti was born in Alquizar, Cuba
. He started his career in the late 1930s as singer of danzon
s with the Belen Puig Orchestra as well as Ernesto Muñoz's Conjunto. He then joined a number of septetos, among them Septeto Cauto, led by Manuel 'Mozo' Borgella with whom he first recorded in 1940, followed by Septeto Hatuey, Septeto Fachenda and the famous Septeto Habanero.
In an effort to achieve wider recognition he left Cuba for Mexico
in the mid forties. Only mildly successful, he returned in 1953. Back in Havana he joined Orquestra Sensacion, led by Rolando Valdez (to briefly replace the much more famous sonero Abelardo Barroso). This engagement was followed by temporary stints at a group whose fame survives today, Chappottin Y Sus Estrellas, whose members at the peak of their success and fame were Felix Chappottin, Miguelito Cuni, Rene Alvarez and Louis 'Lili' Martinez as well as Marquetti. Between 1955 and 1957 he had his own conjunto with whom he recorded a couple of albums for the Panart and Egrem labels.
In 1957 he traveled to Venezuela
and on his return to rejoined Orquestra Sensación. In 1958 he left the group and formed another conjunto for more recordings. In 1961 he dissolved his group to move to Panama
. He returned to Havana in 1963. After his return he was an occasional contributor to Grupo Tutankamen. He died, almost forgotten, in Havana
, Cuba, at the relatively young age of 57.
His cousin, Luis Marquetti
, was a famous composer, responsible for, among others, the classic song Deuda.
Cheo Marquetti is a real "singer's singer" with a beautifully lyrical and expressive voice. Contemporary vocalists and musicians such as Henry Fiol count him as a major influence. A few compilations of Cheo Marquetti's solo recordings have recently been reissued.
Marquetti was born in Alquizar, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. He started his career in the late 1930s as singer of danzon
Danzón
Danzón is the official dance of Cuba. It is also an active musical form in Mexico and is still beloved in Puerto Rico where Verdeluz, a modern danzón by Puerto Rican composer Antonio Cabán Vale is considered the unofficial national anthem...
s with the Belen Puig Orchestra as well as Ernesto Muñoz's Conjunto. He then joined a number of septetos, among them Septeto Cauto, led by Manuel 'Mozo' Borgella with whom he first recorded in 1940, followed by Septeto Hatuey, Septeto Fachenda and the famous Septeto Habanero.
In an effort to achieve wider recognition he left Cuba for Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in the mid forties. Only mildly successful, he returned in 1953. Back in Havana he joined Orquestra Sensacion, led by Rolando Valdez (to briefly replace the much more famous sonero Abelardo Barroso). This engagement was followed by temporary stints at a group whose fame survives today, Chappottin Y Sus Estrellas, whose members at the peak of their success and fame were Felix Chappottin, Miguelito Cuni, Rene Alvarez and Louis 'Lili' Martinez as well as Marquetti. Between 1955 and 1957 he had his own conjunto with whom he recorded a couple of albums for the Panart and Egrem labels.
In 1957 he traveled to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
and on his return to rejoined Orquestra Sensación. In 1958 he left the group and formed another conjunto for more recordings. In 1961 he dissolved his group to move to Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. He returned to Havana in 1963. After his return he was an occasional contributor to Grupo Tutankamen. He died, almost forgotten, in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba, at the relatively young age of 57.
His cousin, Luis Marquetti
Luis Marquetti
Luis Marquetti was a Cuban songwriter and composer. He was born in Alquízar.Among his well-known boleros are Allí donde tú sabes, Deuda, and El cuarto de Tula.-References:*, El Habanero, 2000...
, was a famous composer, responsible for, among others, the classic song Deuda.
Cheo Marquetti is a real "singer's singer" with a beautifully lyrical and expressive voice. Contemporary vocalists and musicians such as Henry Fiol count him as a major influence. A few compilations of Cheo Marquetti's solo recordings have recently been reissued.