José Belén Puig

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The king of the piano, one of the greats of Cuban music of all time. Those who heard him when he moved his fingers like a whirlwind over the white and black keys say that no one could take away from him the title of nobility with which he had been distinguished by his followers in an era when there were many good practitioners of the instrument in Cuba.

Son of the notable danzón musician José Belén Puig, who was a clarinetist in Enrique Peña's orchestra. At eight years of age he began his musical studies within the family. He continued his studies in harmony and piano with Fernando Carnicer, and took classes in Orchestration and composition at the Municipal Conservatory.

In 1923, at 15 years of age, he made his debut with the orchestra directed by his father. In 1925 he worked as a pianist in a silent film cinema, a common practice among various Cuban pianists before cinema had sound. He made his first recordings in 1927, with his father's orchestra. He later worked in various French-style charangas and in jazz band-type orchestras, such as Tata Pereira's charanga and those of Alberto Rivera and Calixto Allende.

In 1934 he founded his orchestra, which achieved fame among dancers. Among the singers of this group were Pablo Quevedo, and after his death in 1936, he was succeeded by Alfredito Valdes. Later, Alberto Aroche.

He began and abandoned his medical studies, but in 1940 he graduated in Civil Law.

Among his danzones stand out "Flor de trébol", "San Lázaro te acompañe", "Un guajiro en la montaña", "Cojan puesto", "De san Pedrito llegó", "Meditación", as well as boleros.

He stood out as an arranger. He worked as a pianist in musical programs and formed the typical group of Joseíto Fernández.

His daughter Gladys Puig is a distinguished lyric singer. He has been considered the best danzón pianist in Cuban musical history.