Evening star., 1942-09-24
After Dark
News and Comment Of the Night Clubs
BY the Spectator.
Trade REGISTERED. Us Patent once

terious force mightier than he-de-
cided to create q L4tin-American
Department in his Mayfiower Lounge
band, he was pinning his faith on
an unassuming little guy who is q
guitarist and cousin OF Roberto
Estalella, one-time ace Of Mr.. Clark
Grifnth's corps of ace ballplayers
That Mr.. Rooms confidence in
Johnny Valencia was well-placed Is
testified each passing day by fright
ful numbers Of patrons which jam
the Lounge and wax enthusiastic
over this latest turn in entertain
ment policy.
Mr.. Valencia, who stands only q
couple of shades taller than Burton
the Page, came indeed as q happy
chance to Mr.. Koon's organization.
The Lounge had been looking for
some added touch of novelty for its
musical soirees, and when Johnny
Valencia popped into the picture,
experience-wise from recent assign
ments at the Troika and Madrillon,
the new scheme formulated more or
less on the spot. Here was . fellow
that could put on show with the
caboclos, the chocayos, the cuicas
and the timbales. (Surely you know
what they are.) Moreover he could
sing, and play guitar-and the band
needed guitar, especially.
In this lad the Lounge found not
only highly useful individual, but
one Of esteemed and interesting an
tecedents. Although American born
himsel, Mr.. Valencia's father is Co.
lombian, noted as pianist and in
st1uctor in Spanish. He, In fact,
teaches that language at a local
branch Of the Berlitz School which
is quite noted in the language
line. Mr.. Valencia's mother, on the
other hand. Is Cuban. = concert vio-
linist who, under the name Of Marie
de Ia Tore, has travelled through
three continents in company with
Ernesto Lecuona, the well-known
pianist and composer Victor Her
bert Of Latin n-America). Lecuona
even dedicated his popular "Anda-
lucia" to Senorita de 10 Tore. As
for the distant branches Of the fam
lily, Ike the Estalellas, baseball for
better or worse remained their forte,
80 far rs Mr.. Valencia can remen1-
Der.
Johnny Valencia started his
career as . guitarist ut the age Of .
while touring Spain with his
mother and Senor Lecuona. He
was learning piano at that time, but
growing bored with the prevalence
Of that instrument in his environ
ment soon turned to the strings.
BY sort Of logical progression he
moved from the ukulele, to the
banjo, to the four -strinsed guitar
until finally he arrived ct the six
strinsed job which he has fancied
ever since. Professionally, he broke
IN with Milo Menendez. another
composer Of note, and with Tito
0uizar, the Mexican tenor, with
whom he helped popularise "El
Rancho Grande" which has since
been beaten from pillar to post.
He has, furthermore, his explana-
ton OF the origin of the conga. It
was instituted during one Of those
dance festivals known Is "compar-
sas'' In the streets Of Cuba. Not In
the ballroom; not In the Africa
Jungle. 80 remember that the next
time you hear people start theoriz-
ing.
Mr.. Valencia's specific duties as
chief Of the Latin-American De-
partment are as follows: % Sing
the Spanish songs, CD play guitar
and most rhythm devices, 90
score the music for all rhythm in
struments, ~ serve rs technical
advisor" on al Latin-American
numbers, such as seeing to 1t that
appropriate" tunes ara played In
the authentic rhythm peculiar to
each type. We summarize from Mr..
Koons' oficial proclamation.
He is, you can see, busy. But,
then, he's capable.
E Patios Little Jack Little came
UP with one of his better slogans
the other night. For use on one OF
his radio bond programs, you know.
"It's not what you make; It's what
you save-put your savings into War
bonds and help save your country"
When the Madrillon's Trio Lyrico,
as q title, was abandoned In favor
OF the current 'sHurtado Trio" many
may have wondered just how the
personnel was af1ected-Mario Hur-
tado, for one, having been . Madril-
lon fixture since time immemorial.
We took our first long look at the
"Hurtado Trio" last night, then
looked again-and there they all
were: Ramon still at guitar, Mario
at the marimba, and Joe (of the
sad expression) plunking away at
bass the same as ever
OF course, Mario had the spot
light and the somewhat self con-
sciously af1able smile common to all
leaders Of dance ensembles.
The Balalaika's chorus for the
current Don Cossack revue has been
featuring q particularly stirring
Russian marching song which one
seldom hears unless 1t be on record
ings OF the Red Army Choir Of the
U. s. S. r.. It's name is Meadow
lands" And it's done in adequately
r