Henry Cuesta
Henry Falcon Cuesta (born
December 23,
1931 - died
December 17,
2003) was an
American born musician who was a member of
The Lawrence Welk Show. His primary
instrument was the
clarinet.
At an early age, Henry began studying classical
violin, then switched to
woodwinds. He proved himself gifted and was selected to play with the
Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra in
Texas while still in
high school. Before being drafted into the
Army in
1952, He then graduated from
Del Mar College where he majored in music. In the
Special Services branch of the Army, he was involved in entertaining troops in
Europe and
England, which included a Tribute to Gershwin concert with the
Stuttgart Symphony Orchestra).
After his Army duty, Henry toured the
United States and
Canada, developing his own highly personal style. While living in
Toronto, Henry and his group became popular for visiting musicians, including
Benny Goodman on one occasion.
Bobby Hackett advised him to get in touch with
Lawrence Welk, and after listening to his recordings, Mr. Welk hired him immediately.
Henry made countless personal appearances performing and conducting in
jazz festivals, state and county fairs,
conventions,
supper clubs, and symphony pops concerts. He appeared as a soloist with
Jack Teagarden,
Bob Crosby,
Mel Torme, in a
Bobby Vinton TV special, on the
Tonight Show starring
Johnny Carson, and ten years on the Lawrence Welk Show.
Henry died
December 17,
2003 at the age of 71 at his home in
Sherman Oaks,
California after a bout with
cancer.
