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elWatusi is happy to include the catalog of CESTA RECORDS, the label formed by the esteemed band-leader JOE QUIJANO in the 1960s. Joe was born on September 27, 1935, at Puerta de Tierra, Puerto Rico, his family relocating to New York City in 1941. Over the years he has contributed greatly to the development of Latin music in New York City.
His complete catalog is available in high quality mp3/320 or audiophile FLAC formats.
Click to view the Cesta catalog with audio clips
JOE QUIJANO
Musicians are a breed of their own. In most cases they come and go; some reach the top charts and become unforgettable and others go unnoticed and fall through the cracks. We know who the unforgettable ones are because, we as human beings identify our special moments through their music and lyrics.
Joe Quijano is one of the unforgettable orchestra leaders, composer and cinger of our time, and, oh, how he can woo the ladies, with his romantic melodies and sexy voice. He started his career as a boy, in 1950 in the back streets of the Bronx, NY, with such known artists as Eddie Palmieri (pianist) Orlando Marin (timbale player), Chiqui Perez (conga player) and Larry Acevedo, (trumpet player). He formed his first band known as the Banana Kelly’s Mambo named after Kelly Street where most of these artists grew up. Later, he changed the group’s name toEl Conjunto Cachana, and the band is still very active today.
Throughout his career, he has had many accomplishments. He has recorded 14 albums and over 300 songs. In 2003 he recorded his latest album, in english, entitled Salsa- Natra In Clave, a tribute to Frank Sinatra. He was an innovator of La Pachanga, a Cuban-Nuyorican rhythm, and the Cha Cha Cha, and is most famous for his interpretation of La Pachanga Se Baila Asi, which inspired other great artiest such as Tito Rodriguez, Frank Grillo (better known as Machito) and Tito Puente to incorporate La Pachanga in their big band orchestras in the late 1960s.
Many of us will remember his very famous song, A Cataño, which became popular for the verse Aguanta La Lancha ue voy pa Cataño. Joe was a founder of the Cesta All Stars with Al Santiago and Charlie Palmieri.
Joe Quijano is an all-around artist. He not only composed, sang, and conducted his orchestra; he was also an accomplished pianist, and played flute as well as the timbales, congas, and bongos.
In 1992, Joe Quijano was still going strong until fate turned things around. He had a motor-cycle accident, here in Puerto Rico, which left him in a wheel-chair for several years. He has had over 12 surgeries, but his love for music, and his unbelievable stamina, has brought him right back to where he was, and to us. He is still performing and going strong, his most recent performances being in Cali, Columbia.
I have just skimmed the surface of this great artist. To do him justice, I would have to write a book, which, by the way, is being done today. His music has inspired many great musicians throughout the years, and his legacy will live on for as long as we have, and enjoy music. I am proud to call Joe Quijano my friend. He is an unbelievable human being, and a great artist.
Betsy Moreno
I recall listening to Joe Quijano’s music and being pleasantly surprised by the range of his talent and public appeal. I was only 15 years old when I fell in love with his version of the classic “Nosotros”. Joe had this unique ability to draw in the hottest arrangers and musicians for his work with Conjunto Cachana. I still listen to his music with great nostalgia for the “Swinging 60’s”, an era that has been overlooked by many except “true Salseros”. For me, the birth of Salsa took place in the 1960’s and Joe Quijano was one of the key contributors.
Comment by Alberto Aponte — May 18, 2012 @ 7:28 pm
I’M GLAD TO SAY THAT I HAVE JOINED ELWATUSICOM TO DISTRIBUTE MY MUSIC A TOTAL OF ALMOST 462 TRACKS…MANY THANKS MR. ALBERTO APONTE FOR YOUR POSITIVE COMMENTS, I’M 76 NOW AND THE PHOTO ABOVE WAS TAKEN IN 1968 IN THE OLD COLGATE GARDENS, IN THE BRONX…MISSING FROM THE SHOT IS BENJIE THE BASS PLAYER, IM SAD TO SAY THAT THE THREE (CHAGUITO, BOBBY, AND HERMAN ARE PLAYING IN A BAND IN THE SKY, WITH CHARLIE PALMIERI, WHICH WE MISS ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE MUSICIANS THAT WHERE MEMBERS OF MY CONJUNTO CACHANA…PS THE BEAUTIFUL MARIA IS STILL WITH US, AND LOVELY AS EVER, LIVING IN CULEBRA, PR. THANKS AGAIN JOE QUIJANO
Comment by joe quijano — May 18, 2012 @ 10:33 pm
IMPORTANT, PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR YOUR FAVORITES…THANKS JOE QUIJANO
Comment by joe quijano — May 18, 2012 @ 10:34 pm
I remember seeing Joe Quijano in the early 70’s at the La Concha Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
His group were fabulous.
Comment by Philip Aster — May 23, 2012 @ 3:40 pm
Great info on Joe Quijano and who is the fantastic looking girl in the Conjunto Cachana!The Cesta All Stars recording are some of my favorites.
Comment by Irving Miranda — May 26, 2012 @ 1:22 am
Hello again Joe, I hope you get to read this. My favorite album of Conjunto Cachana was the one with Nosostros, La Media Vuelta, Rompecabeza, etc. I remember it like it was yesterday when I was looking at the pictures on the back of the album. ALL your band members “past and present” in 1965 were on there! Yes, I remember Benjie… he played acoustic bass (before “baby basses” became popular). I also recall Eddie Palmieri being a listed Cachana member (before La Perfecta). I misplaced that album but was delighted to see many of the same music numbers on Mambo Jazz 7. I LOVE IT, MAN. Thanks for keeping this GREAT music alive. Yes… I will be placing an order for the other “pachanga albums” that came “a bit before my time”. Mr. Quijano, you contributed greatly to our NY scene and your music will live on. May God Bless You, hermano.
Comment by Alberto Aponte — May 31, 2012 @ 6:13 pm
MANY THANKS IRVING, AND ALBERTO APONTEPLEASE TELL YOUR FREINDS ABOUT ELWATUSI.COM THERE ARE LOTS OF SURPRISES ON THE ALMOST 500 TUNES I RECORDED THOUGHOUT THE YEARS 1957 TO 2011. REGARDS JOE QUIJANO CESTA RECORDS, INC. NOW ON ELWATUSI.COM
Comment by joe quijano — June 15, 2012 @ 11:08 am
The Colgate Gardens. My God what a rush! Back in 1969 I left the Bronx to do my part in the war effort. This is when I met Alberto Aponte. We spent many a night listening to 78 Salsa Lp’s in the barracks and talking about the Colgate Gardens, The Hunts Point Palace and other haunts.
Your music was, and still is a major part of our youth.
I will pass this on to some of those old guys that are still around.
I’m sure I’ll be hearing from them.
Thank you for your contribution to the good things in our lives.
Oscar Pinero
Comment by Oscar Pinero — June 22, 2012 @ 8:54 pm
IT’S SOMEWHAT CURIOUS THAT ONE OF JOE QUIJANO’S BIGGEST SONGS “EL SON CUBANO” WHICH WS RELEASED ON COLUMBIA RECORDS IS NOT AMONG THE COMMENTS NOTED IN THE PIECE WRITTEN BY ALBERTO. I COULD BE WRONG, BUT JOE WAS ONE IF NOT THE ONLY LATINO GROUP SIGNED BY COLUMBIA AT THAT TIME – WHICH WAS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IN AND OF IT SELF.
Comment by RAFAEL CEPEDA — July 9, 2012 @ 5:09 am