Born Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deluefeo, on 1 January 1900 in Gerona, Spain, Xavier Cugat became an immensely popular bandleader and composer.   During the 30s and 40s he introduced some of the most insinuating Spanish and Latin American dance rhythms to the USA and became known as the "King Of The Rumba".

Cugat's family moved to Cuba when he was about five years old, and began to learn the violin. He performed in cafes and concert halls before moving to the USA in the mid-teens.  Cugat eventually settled in California, drawing caricatures of early movie stars for the Los Angeles Times.

His bands played at the Cocoanut Grove, the Chez Paris in Chicago, and New York's Waldorf-Astoria.  He had a great flair for showmanship, and employed several elegant and talented dancers and singers, including Rita Hayworth , Abbe Lane and Charo Baeza (Charo)

Cugat had a string of record hits from 1935-49, including "The Lady In Red",  "Perfidia", "Chica, Chica, Boom, Chic", "Babula", "Amor", "The Breeze And I" (featuring Dinah Shore ), "Brazil" and his theme, "My Shawl".

A stroke in 1971 forced him into semi-retirement, but Cugat continued to write and paint at his home in Spain. 

Before dying on October 27, 1990, Xavier Cugat decided that his tradition of sophisticated, classic Latin music should continue.  To maintain that tradition, he chose Ada Cavallo and her husband Bob Kasha to conduct and manage The "New" Xavier Cugat Orchestra.   

The "New" Xavier Cugat Orchestra is alive and well today.  They continue to bring their mix of traditional Latin dance music, South American folk presentations, and contemporary salsa to stages all across the USA, Japan and the Carribean. 

For more information on booking the New Xavier Cugat Orchestra, please contact

xaviercugat orchestra@yahoo.com