Originally the sixth movement of the Suite Andalucia by Ernesto Lecuona, who also provided it with Spanish lyrics, the song “Malagueña” has since become a popular, jazz, marching band, and drum corps standard and has been provided with lyrics in several languages.

A German language version, sung by Caterina Valente, with Werner Müller’s Orchestra, was very popular in the United States (not making the Billboard chart, but charting on Cash Box, peaking at position #42) in February 1955. She also has sung Malaguena in Spanish. English lyrics had been written by Marian Banks and a later charting version was recorded by Connie Francis in 1960 that reached #42 on Billboard’s chart as the flip side of her #1 pop smash “My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own.” It is a Spanish folk song and is usually played on a piano at a fast pace with a repeating pattern.

Notable instrumental performances”Malagueña” was recorded by the composer as a piano solo on the 1955 RCA Victor LP Lecuona Plays Lecuona. The recording is available on RCA/BMG CD compilations / reissues.

Bill Holman’s arrangement for the Stan Kenton Orchestra, reimagined the song as a fiery big band showpiece. Performances of this arrangement appeared on Kenton’s 1961 album Adventures in Jazz and on the 1962 American TV show, Jazz Scene USA.

Marco Rizo solo piano performance of Malagueña can be found in Lecuona, a Musical Legacy. Rizo, who in 1938 became the official pianist of the Havana Philharmonic, performed under the direction of Maestro Ernesto Lecuona and gave duo piano recitals with Lecuona in 1939.

Carlos Montoya adapted it for flamenco style guitar, and it was the title track on his 1961 live album, “Malagueña” on the RCA Victor lablel.  This recording was influential in the piece becoming a guitar standard, even though it was originally written for piano.

Other popular versionsAmerican guitarist Roy Clark recorded an instrumental version of “Malagueña” and also performed the song in an episode of the US TV show The Odd Couple. Rock versions have included an instrumental version by Bill Haley & His Comets recorded live in Sweden in 1968 (it was a staple of their live shows in the 1960s and 1970s, usually performed by guitarist Nick Nastos). An instrumental version by Ritchie Valens was released years after his death. A surf instrumental version of “Malagueña” has been performed by the Trashmen, the Bambi Molesters, and Albatross, and is part of an arrangement of Misirlou by Dick Dale and others. The genealogy of this arrangement is not known. Other instrumental versions were provided by New Orleans piano virtuoso James Booker, legendary New Orleans guitarist Snooks Eaglin (as “Funky Malagueña), Brian Setzer on his album Ignition, Dave Salyer on Red Hot Guitar, and Buckethead on From the Coop. “Malagueña” was also loosely adapted in 1991 by American thrash metal band Tourniquet for their instrumental song “Viento Borrascoso” (an acoustic version was released in 1998).

Drum corps / Marching band”Malagueña” is one of the most often performed pieces in drum & bugle corps and marching competitions. One of the most well known performances of this piece in recent years has been as part of the Broadway musical Blast!, a fusion of Corps style musical arrangements and field (stage) movements with traditional theatric elements. The best known performance of Malagueña is regarded as the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps show in 1988, many witnesses call it a legendary moment in the Drum Corps activity.

“Malagueña” has been performed numerous times by the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, and as such, has become one of the songs most identified with the group. The University of Minnesota hockey pep band also plays the song after each home win by their men’s hockey team. The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps won their second DCI World Championship with a program including the work. Performed by Florida State University’s Marching Chiefs as well, in addition to being played by the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. Other corps to perform the piece include the Boston Crusaders, the Velvet Knights, The Cadets, the Hawthorne Caballeros and the Hanover (PA) Lancers.

In figure skatingSasha Cohen, a ladies U.S. figure skater, used this song as her short program in the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 figure skating seasons.

Kristi Yamaguchi, a ladies U.S. figure skater, used this song for her long program in the 1991-1992 season, the year she won the Olympic gold medal.

By Trio Los Panchos

By Trio Los Tariacuri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPm6W_Q3yLk

Lyrics