• Cuban American bandleader- like Lombardo a fine violinist
• His band- great for dancing the Tango- was the orchestra on opening night at the Waldorf in 1931
• Later he modified the sound with the times, moving to the Conga, the Mambo, the Cha Cha and then the Twist
• His band, the Gigolos was part of the Big Band era- his was the resident Waldorf orchestra both up to and after WWII totaling 16 years
• Xavier would wave his baton with one hand while holding his Chihuahua in the other
• Married 4 times, his last was to Charro in the first wedding ever at Caesars Palace in Vegas. Another famous wife was the singer Abbe Lane
• Cugat appeared in several major films, including Weekend at the Waldorf.
