Music in my blood

This morning I sat at the table at Tia Maggie and Tio Mando's house. Tia Maggie showed me old family pics including the ones of my grandfather and his brothers playing in their Mambo band.
My grandfathers name was Raphael León and he and his brothers had a band that would play the L.A. circuit when they were young.

My grandmother has made references to the fact that I reminded her on my Tio Jess, carefree and adventures. I could write for hours about my grandfather, but today I feel like I got to meet my Tio Jess. The band was called Jess León and his Tropicano Orchestra. He was just 37 when he passed away leaving my grandfather broken hearted.

In the picture shown the sign reads straight from Cuba. The guys did this for two reasons, first it was the height of Tito Puente and Desi Arnez, and there was more of a stigma associated with being Mexican than Cuban.


I found this, his obituary from the Times, I think it is beautiful.


Jesse Leon- One of the best-liked musicians in L.A. who passed the great beyond last Friday. The smiling bandleader was one of the most popular among the bandleaders, and his departure will leave a big gap around the Latin nite clubs because of his ready smile for everyone. Wake was held last wed, for the 37 year old musician who was born in New Mexico.
He was laid to rest in at evergreen at Evergreen Cemetery last Thursday after a religious ceremony held at the Ramirez Mortuary. Jess was divorced at the time of his death and leaves a son and daughter, he is also survived by his father and mother and 3 brothers.
The young bandleader started his sensational musical career at the Rutland in 1947, and made the rounds of the towns top night clubs working in harmony with all of the proprietors, but his biggest success was accomplished at the Broadway Palace, where he stayed for a long time. Our staff of writers that include Memo Mata, Tily Lopez and midget Martinez would like to pay their respects to the Leon family for their loss. May his soul rest in peace.