Félix Chappottín

Félix Chappottín (March 31, 1907 – December 21, 1983) was a Cuban trumpeter and bandleader. He was a member of three highly successful Cuban bands: Septeto Habanero, Arsenio Rodríguez's conjunto and Conjunto Chappottín, which he directed.

Life and career Conjunto de Arsenio Rodríguez ca. 1949. Chappottín is the second from the right, standing.

Early life and septeto era Félix Chappottín Lage was born on March 31, 1907, in Cayo Hueso, Havana, to tobacconist/musician Julio Chappottín and housewife Natalia Lage. His father was a member of the son group Los Apaches. With the Habanero, Chappottín recorded several 78 rpm singles for Victor between February 1928 and 1930, when he left the band for economic reasons, being replaced by José Interián. He then joined other son septetos: Colín, Munamar (directed by Juan José Izquierdo), Agabama, and Universo (directed by Abelardo Barroso). According to Craig Harris, writer for AllMusic, Chappottín "continued to inspire Afro-Cuban music with his sweet-toned trumpet playing for more than six decades". In 2002, Chappottín was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

After his death, his son and later his grandson have directed Conjunto Chappottín.