Domingo Cruz "Cocolia"

Domingo Cruz ("Cocolía")
Domingo Cruz ('Cocolía'), Director of the Ponce Municipal Band
Born	3 July 1864 Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died	20 October 1934 Alicante, Spain
Nationality	Puerto Rican
Occupation	Band director, Musician

Domingo Cruz ("Cocolía") was a late 19th century Puerto Rican musician, and director of the Ponce Firefighters’ Band (now the Ponce Municipal Band).^[1][2]

Early years

Domingo Cruz was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on July 3, 1864.^[3] Upon the death of Juan Morel Campos, Cruz became the director of the Ponce Municipal Band.^[4] He directed the Ponce Municipal Band from 1896 until 1916.^[5]

Professional career

Cocolía (Spanish for little crab) played the saxhorn with “La Lira Ponceña” orchestra under the baton of Ponce’s renowned composer Juan Morel Campos. Famous for his danceable tunes, Cocolía was also a music teacher and director of the Firefighters’ Band. His statue stands in front of the downtown fire station next to La Perla Theater in Ponce.^[6]

He died in 1934 in the Province of Alicante, Spain.^[7]

Legacy

There is a statue in Ponce dedicated to Cocolia, at Plaza Las Delicias. He is also recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.

References

1. ^ Ponceños Ilustres. Municipality of Ponce.
2. ^ ‘’ In memory of tropical music great, “Cocolía” ’’Puerto Rico Daily Sun. February 26, 2010. By Juan A. Hernandez
3. ^ Ponceños Ilustres. Municipality of Ponce.
4. ^ Las Retretas. Municipality of Ponce.
5. ^ Don Domingo Cruz (Cocolia). Museo del Paruqe de Bombas de Ponce. Ponce, Puerto Rico. March 2, 2011.
6. ^ In memory of tropical music great, “Cocolía” Puerto Rico Daily Sun. February 26, 2010. By Juan A. Hernandez
7. ^ Frommer's Walking Tours

External links

• Statue of Cocolia

See also

Puerto Rico portal

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

Persondata
Name	Cruz, Domingo
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	3 July 1864
Place of birth	Ponce, Puerto Rico
Date of death	20 October 1934
Place of death