Peruchín

Pedro Nolasco Jústiz Rodríguez, better known as Peruchín (January 31, 1913 – December 24, 1977), was a Cuban pianist specializing in jazz-influenced Cuban popular music. He was an important figure in the 1950s descarga (jam session) scene in Havana, and one of the most influential Cuban pianists of the 20th century.

Biography

Early life and career Pedro Jústiz was born in Banes, Holguín, on January 31, 1913, into a family of local musicians. Taught by his mother since 1923, he soon learned to play the piano and joined the family band La Rechiva del Son, directed by his uncles. In 1928 he moved to Antilla to study piano and saxophone under the supervision of his grandfather, Emilio Rodríguez. In the mid-1930s he debuted with Orquesta Chepín-Chovén, where he would alternate on piano with director Bernardo Chovén. Playing with the Riverside did not prevent him from performing with various ensembles, including descarga sessions with Julio Gutiérrez (Panart's Cuban Jam Session), Chico O'Farrill, Emilio Peñalver, and Antobal's Cuban All-Stars. He also directed his own ensembles into the 1960s, releasing LPs such as Piano con moña (recorded in March 1958). He eventually left Orquesta Riverside, focusing on his jazz groups. He formed a trio with Alberto Limonta on double bass and Rodolfo Castiñeira on drums and percussion.

Later years and death Peruchín faded from the forefront of the Cuban jazz scene in the second half of the 1960s, giving way to up-and-coming figures such as Chucho Valdés. Since 1972, he sometimes replaced Frank Emilio Flynn in his band Quinteto Instrumental de Música Moderna (also known as Los Amigos), featuring Cachaíto on bass, Guillermo Barreto on drums and Tata Güines on congas. In 1975 he released his last album Piano y ritmo. On December 24, 1977, he died in Havana.

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Peruchín's style was characterized by the frequent use of block chords, as heard in "Peruchineando", influencing notable pianists such as Charlie Palmieri, George Shearing, Eddie Palmieri, Papo Lucca, Chucho Valdés Famed pianist Bebo Valdés was his disciple. Together with Lilí Martínez, Noro Morales and Jesús López, he is responsible for establishing the modern Cuban piano style. His grandson, Rodolfo Argudín Jústiz, also known as Peruchín, is a pianist as well, playing timba with NG La Banda.

Discography

Albums 1954: His Piano and Rhythm Accompaniment (Puchito) 1960: Piano con moña (Gema; re-released as The Incendiary Piano of Peruchín) 1960: Can can cha (Velvet; re-released as Descargas con el ritmo de Cachao) 1964: Pianoforte (EGREM) – split with Adolfo Guzmán and Frank Emilio Flynn 1966: Guantanamera (Areito) 1975: Piano y ritmo (Areito; re-released as ¡La descarga!)

Compilations 2005: El Marqués del Marfil: Grabaciones indispensables 1954–1965 (Tumbao Cuban Classics)

Appearances With Julio Gutiérrez Cuban Jam Session, Vol. 1 (Panart, 1956) Cuban Jam Session, Vol. 2 (Panart, 1957)

With Chico O'Farrill's All Star Cuban Band / All-Stars Cubano Chico's Cha Cha Cha (Panart, 1957) "Descarga número uno / Descarga número dos" (Gema, 1957) Los mejores músicos de Cuba (Gema, 1959)