What type of music did Ricky Ricardo play?

Arnaz’s character, Ricky Ricardo, was also a Cuban conguero and the version of Cuban music that he played had been heavily watered down, to make it palatable for a mass audience.

What is Desi Arnaz known for?

Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American actor, musician, and TV producer. He is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo in the cult classic American TV sitcom I Love Lucy.

Was Desi Arnaz a good musician?

Audiences loved his lively, energetic musical style, and his popularity soon led to a part in a Broadway musical. It was about then that his life took a significant turn, because that musical, Too Many Girls, was turned into a movie in 1940, and his co-star was an actress named Lucille Ball.

What kind of drum did Desi Arnaz play?

Desi Arnaz also played a role in the popularization of conga drums. However, the drum he played (which everyone called a conga drum at the time) was similar to the type of drum known as bokú used in his hometown, Santiago de Cuba. The word conga came from the rhythm la conga used during carnaval (carnival) in Cuba.

What does Babalu mean in Cuban?

Noun. babalu. (humorous, somewhat offensive) someone with a long extended chin.

What does Babalu mean on I Love Lucy?

Millions of Americanos tuned into I Love Lucy, and most of them probably didn’t realize that Ricky Ricardo’s signature song was a tribute to an Afro-Cuban god. “Babalu,” written by Cuban composer Margarita Lecuona, is about Babalu-Aye, one of the seven main gods of the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria.

Does Desi Arnaz play piano?

Arnaz, whom Mr. Rizo had known since childhood, invited him to join his orchestra as a pianist and orchestrator, and he toured the United States with the band until 1950. He was pianist and orchestrator for the ”I Love Lucy” show, which ran from 1951 to 1957.

Did Ricky Ricardo play guitar?

Ricky first entered the entertainment industry at the young age of 12. He knew early on that he wanted to make a living by singing and playing his beloved conga drum. His favorite song to sing and conga to is “Babalu,” which would become his signature song. He also plays guitar.

Is Babalu a real song?

“Babalu,” written by Cuban composer Margarita Lecuona, is about Babalu-Aye, one of the seven main gods of the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria. It was first recorded by Cuban vocalist Miguelito Valdes in 1941 — and among fans of more traditional Latin music, Valdes was the real Mr. Babalu.