Ernesto Muñoz Justiniani

Pianist, composer, and dance orchestra director.

He was born in La Habana. At fifteen years of age he formally began his musical studies.

In 1929 his orchestra was well-known, and it was among the most acclaimed in the performance of danzonete, a genre that Aniceto Díaz began to circulate that year.

He was a piano teacher and worked as an accompanying pianist.

His Charanga-type orchestra, with renewed members, was active during different periods, remaining active until at least the 1970s, according to Orovio.

He composed works such as the danzón "La flauta encantada" and "El viandero," a street vendor's cry, and others.

In 1917 he began working in the tent La Tienda Negra with Bermúdez's orchestra. In 1920 he was performing as a pianist at the Favorito cinema, and that same year he joined the orchestra of the Florencia cinema directed by Miguel Vázquez (El Moro), until 1924.

Around 1927 Ernesto Muñoz joined the orchestra of the Montmartre cabaret, directed by trumpeter Jorge Pérez, and shortly thereafter the same orchestra came under his direction. In 1929 he formed his own orchestra, made up of:
Ernesto Muñoz, director and piano.
Eduardo Leal, flute.
Antonio Gutiérrez, first violin.
Miguel Valdés, second violin, later Jesús Muñiz.
Orestes López, double bass, later Demetrio González.
Justo Miranda, timpani.
Gustavo Tamayo, güiro.

In different periods his singers were:

Luis Suárez
Manuel Poveda
Joseíto Núñez
Abelardo Barroso
Cheo Marquetti
Paulina Álvarez
Elena Li
Vicentino Valdés
Oscar Valdés
Alfredito Valdés
Rafael Ortiz
Alberto Aroche
Miguel Ángel Suárez
Manolo Manrique
Antonio García
Miguelito García
Miguelito Cuní

Works

Bolero-mambo

Juro

Song

Cariño de mi alma
Me pertenecerá
Estaré pensando en ti

Danzón

El viandero
La flauta encantada
Lucita

Guaracha

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