Description:
2 CD set. Alvino Rey was born Alvin McBurney in 1908 in Oakland, California. He changed his name in 1929 to take advantage of the popularity of Latin music. By that time he had switched from his original instrument, the banjo, and taken up the guitar. Among the orchestras he played with were Russ Morgan and Freddy Martin. By around 1934, Rey was experimenting with and modifying electric steel guitars, which he called "console" guitars. In 1935, Rey joined the Horace Heidt band where he met the King Sisters, Luise, Alyce and Donna. He married Luise in 1937. Riding a wave of popularity as a guitar player, Alvino Rey formed his first band in 1939, taking the King Sisters with him as star vocalists. Heading for Hollywood, Rey's group became the staff orchestra for the Mutual Broadcasting Network. |