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Romantic Cuban

WHITE LAFITTE, José (Joseph)

José White Lafitte
This portrait was drawn after White Lafitte won the First Prize in violin at the Paris Conservatory in 1856.

Born in Matanzas, Jan 17, 1836 
Died in Paris, 12/March 15, 1918 

Born José Silvestre de los Dolores White Lafitte 
Also known as Joseph White 

  • White Lafitte was an Afro-Cuban violinist and composer. 
  • White Lafitte studied violin at the Paris Conservatory, winning a first prize for violin in 1856. 
  • White Lafitte’s students included Romanian violinist Georges Enescu (George Enesco). 
  • White Lafitte toured Europe, the United States, and South America. 
  • He lived in South America for part of his career, after becoming court violinist to Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil.1

Biography from BlackPast 

Sources

  1. Aurelio de la Vega, “White Lafitte, José,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed August 6, 2021, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000030221.

Pieces