Artist Snapshot
Fronted by Cuban born pianist and composer, Rene Touzet, the Cha-Cha Rhythm Boys were a powerhouse rhythm section based in New York City in the 50s and 60s. Touzet has already built a successful career as a pianist fronting his own orchestra in Havana when in 1944 a hurricane destroyed the venue he had taken up residency at. The following year he moved to the United States and within a couple years he joined Desi Arnaz’s. When Arnaz launched I Love Lucy 6 months later, Touzet declined an offer to work on the show to pursue a career as a band leader. He went on to form an orchestra and release a dozen LPs with that group on the popular GNP label. However, his work on New York’s Fiesta label highlights a much more intimate sound with his small but mighty ensemble, The Cha-Cha Rhythm Boys. Other notable collaborations in his early days include Xavier Cugat and Stan Kenton.