José Curbelo

José Curbelo was a Cuban-born American pianist, bandleader, and music manager who played a significant role in the Latin jazz scene. Born in Havana on February 18, 1917, Curbelo came from a musical family - his father was a violinist in the Havana Philharmonic. He made his mark both as a performer and behind the scenes in the music industry. In 1959, Curbelo transitioned from bandleader to founding Alpha Artists, a booking agency for Latin music acts. He became known for his tough negotiating style, demanding respect and top dollar for the talent he represented, including stars like Tito Puente.