Cascarita

Drawing from the swing jazz and jump blues that flourished across North America before World War II, Orlando Guerra—professionally known as Cascarita—deployed his commanding voice to reach the pinnacle of Cuban music. His collaborations included notable work alongside Julio Cueva and Orquesta Hermanos Palau, yet his signature period unfolded with Orquesta Casino de la Playa, the ensemble he entered in 1940 to succeed Miguelito Valdés. Cascarita’s most enduring mark on Cuban music came through his suggestion that Pérez Prado serve as the group’s arranger. After emerging as one of the mambo’s originators, Prado in turn aided Cascarita in obtaining a singing position.