So many times we have heard Benny repeated in his recordings: Generoso, how well you play..., and through that phrase of admiration, he refers precisely to another great musician: Generoso "Tojo" Jiménez García, pianist, trombonist and arranger closely linked to the Banda Gigante(Giant Band).

Generoso was born in Cruces on July 17, 1917 and became one of the legends of Cuban popular music. He was considered the father of the Creole trombone. Nobody imagined that so much history would be written behind that first trombone, acquired in a pawnshop in the city of Cienfuegos, came into his hands as a gift from some friends and disciples. To this instrument he stamped a very particular seal and a sound called by many as "playful", but with which he was very serious.

According to musician Paquito de Rivera, "The Cuban trombone was born with Generoso, who began to play with a Creole 'guapería', a vigor and a grace never seen with that instrument". Because of his incomparable improvisations, he became the most sought-after trombonist in the 1950s in Cuba. He stood out mainly in genres such as mambo and chachachá.

His beginnings in music date back to his native Cruces, where he started studying piano and harmony with Professor Carmen Avellano. At the age of eleven he played his first concert with the Cruces Music Band, of which he was an educator. Three years later, he joined different groups such as the Jakiky and Carmen Avellano orchestras, until he became the pianist and arranger of the "Rítmica del 39", which later became the Aragón Orchestra. In 1941 he joined the Cienfuegos Jazz Band. Later he moved to Havana and made his debut at the  Tropicana Cabaret under the baton of Armando Romeu; then he joined the Police Band as trombonist soloist and orchestrator. He worked, among others, with the orchestras of the Ringling Brothers Circus; the Negrete Theater orchestra under the baton of Dámaso Pérez Prado, whom he replaced in the Casino de la Playa orchestra; in the "Hermanos Martínez"; "La Happy de Ulacia" and "Los Diplomáticos". He made recordings with Arturo OʼFarril, Obdulio Morales and Las Estrellas de Bebo Valdés. He met Benny and began to make arrangements for La Banda Gigante, of which he would later become an official musician. He worked with them in the Tropicana show, and was among their members when they performed at the Roof Garden of the Lido Hotel in New York. During those years, about 30 of the group's best-known hits were arranged by Generoso.

He made recordings with  Orestes and Israel López brothers, Gustavo Tamayo, Celeste Mendoza, among other greats. He was part of the Mario Romeu Orchestra. He retired in the Orchestra of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television. He orchestrated for very popular singers such as Miguel de Gonzalo, Rolo Martínez, Rolando Laserie and Pacho Alonso. He conducted the orchestras of Radio Rebelde and the cabarets Sierra and Las Vegas.

In 1965 he recorded El trombón majadero, considered a classic of contemporary Cuban discography. In 2002, he recorded Generoso, qué bueno toca usted, an album that was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award. In 2005, the Latin Academy of Music Recordings (LARAS), awarded him an Honorary Grammy Award for Artistic Excellence during a ceremony in Los Angeles. On this occasion he returned to the stage with his friends, double bassist Cachao and pianist Bebo Valdés. He died in Miami on September 15, 2007.

His daughter, Regina Jiménez, is considered the first female trombone graduate in Cuba. Many Cuban trombonists would continue Generoso's legacy. His interpretation and the way he approached improvisations and Cuban music from his instrument has made him an obligatory reference. He is a musician who sets an indelible standard.

When you listen again to Benny's legendary records and in his voice that melodic: Generoso, how well you play, we are before a tribute to the great trombonist and pianist born in Cruces, land of Cienfuegos, Generoso Jimenez.

(Taken from 5 de Septiembre)

English version Hector Hdez