Antobal's Cubans

Born Eusebio Santiago Azpiazu but taking the name of Don Mario Antobal, Antobal (1890-1966) managed the career of his brother Don Azpiazu. Eventually, Don Azpiazu's band broke up and Antobal started a band of his own, drawing from some of the musicians his brother had used. Both men were from a well-off Cuban family of Basque heritage and probably grew up around the more sedate strains of the danzón rather than the hot son music they ended up presenting to the North American public. Antobal made his fortune in sugar, real estate and stocks before involving himself in music when he met and married former Ziegfeld girl Marion Sunshine. Sunshine was a canny songwriter and once Antobal's brother Don Azpiazu formed a band, she wrote songs first for Azpiazu and then Antobal's Cubans. Antobal involved himself in music mostly through management and song publishing. Although he came from a family with some musical skills, he seems to have limited his contributions to organizing tours, publicity and publishing, rather than laying down hot riffs. His band included some of the hottest Latin session men in New York at the time such as Alberto Socarrás. ~ Megan Lynch, All Music Guide