Don Tosti (given name: Edmundo Martinez Tostado) (March 27, 1923 – August 2, 2004) was an American musician and composer.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Tosti forged a career spanning several decades and styles, from classical to jazz and rhythm and blues. He was best remembered for his Pachuco-style compositions like the hit "Pachuco Boogie". Recorded in 1948, it was the first million-selling Latin song.
Tosti and his Mexican Jazzmen performed for the famed ninth Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles which was produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr. on June 7, 1953. Also featured that day were Roy Brown and his Orchestra, Shorty Rogers, Earl Bostic, Nat "King" Cole, and Louis Armstrong and his All Stars with Velma Middleton.[1][2] Tosti’s career began in Boyle Heights with other Mexican-American jazz musicians such as Ray Vasquez vocalist and trombonist, Paul Lopez trumpet, Manny Lopez, and Eddie Cano.
Tosti lived in the Deep Well neighborhood of Palm Springs, California, from 1973 until his death in 2004.[3] In 1996, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[4]
Tosti was buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, Los Angeles.[5]
References
- ^ “List Big Names on Cavalcade of Jazz”, Los Angeles Sentinel, May 14, 1953.
- ^ “More Big Names in Cavalcade”, Los Angeles Sentinel May 21, 1953.
- ^ Meeks, Eric G. (2014) [2012]. The Best Guide Ever to Palm Springs Celebrity Homes. Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe. pp. 247–49. ISBN 978-1479328598.
- ^ Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated
- ^ Don Tosti at Find a Grave