three voices, and a unique sound. Bacallao also was a dancer and his dances during their shows always garnered attention and acclaim. Also in 1959, the Orquesta Aragon issued the first of eight LPs with their new line up on the Discuba label (RCA Victor subsidiary). Cellist Alejandro Tómas Valdés joined the band in the 1960s; a great dancer, he created the onda-cha as a dance which included Brazil’s capoeira, and the music that he also created featured heavy Afro percussion with the traditional sounds of cha-cha-cha. After the death of Rafael Lay Apesteguía in 1982, Richard Egües became leader, until 1984 when Rafael Lay Bravo took over. Under the younger Lay, the Orquesta established itself as a true institution of inspiration for other Orquestas in dealing with Cuban and Afro-Cuban musical styles. During the revolutionary period, Aragón travelled to give performances in over 30 countries. Discography Me Voy para la Luna Discuba DCD 520 (originally RCA, 1958) Cha Cha Cha RCA Victor LP 1130 (1955) That Cuban Cha Cha Cha RCA Victor LP 1294 (1956) The Heart of Havana RCA Victor LP 1468 (1957) Maracas, bongo y conga RCA Victor LP 1609 (1958) Danzones de Ayer y de Hoy Discuba DCD 515 (1958) Danzones de Ayer y de Hoy Vol 2 Discuba DCD 532 (Originally 1958) Cojale el Gusto a Cuba Discuba DCD 502 (originally RCA, 1959) Charangas y Pachangas Discuba DCD 555 (1959) Ja Ja Ja Pacha Discuba DCD 557 (1961) Ultimos exitos de la Orquesta Aragón Discuba DCD 565 Ritmo Cha-onda (Barbaro, 1978) Mosaicos tropicales Discuba DCD 576 (1990) La Cubanisima Orquesta Aragon (EGREM, 1992) Quien sabe, sabe (EGREM, 1997) La Charanga Eterna (EGREM, 1999) En Route (EGREM, 2001) Por Siempre Aragon (EGREM, 2002) The Lusafrica Years (Lusafrica, 2009) Cha Cha Chá: Homenaje a lo Tradicional (2021) References External links Afropop profile Musical groups established in 1939 Cuban musical groups Cuban charanga Latin Grammy Award winners