Background
In 1925 the family emigrated to the United States, taking residence in Newark, New Jersey, where young Joseph picked up his father"s instrument and mastered lieutenant
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Joe Holiday
Edit ProfileCareer
The father of the Befumo family played clarinet. While still in his teens he began forming musical groups, and obtained his first recording contract (with King Records) in 1949. He had adopted the stage name "Joe Holiday" before the recording contract date.
Holiday played hard bop early in his career, but is best known for his adaptations of mambo style.
He had a hit with "This Is Happiness" in the United States. in 1951, and recorded for Prestige Records with Max Roach and Billy Taylor. Sarah Vaughan recorded his composition "Serenada".
His album "Holiday for Jazz" still sells in Europe and England. Holiday also does abstract painting.
Membership
Many of his sessions included members of Machito"s ensemble, the Afro-Cubans.
