While dancing with a partner, Electrico was one of many, but as couples left the floor, including his partner, he went into a solo as the band continued playing, now for him alone. We soon saw that we were in the presence of greatness. Here was something stunning, like Mike Tyson's debut in the boxing world. He would arrive and leave alone. No one embraced or approached him, respecting his stature with distance, as we did on the dancefloor proper. A low key modesty characterized his social behavior. Only the musicians, the drummers in particular, were seen close to him. Respect was more appropriate than celebrity. In 1938, dancers dressed in a serious fashion, with jackets and tires and gray suites (except for Midnight's black suit and vest). The scene at the Park Plaza was incongruous with raw African moves dressed in Western garb. His partner was the seated drummer more than una Latina. They were working rather than performing, as we tried to catch their smallest gestures.There were many Electricos in Cuba, but here in New York, we were unaware of them. After his style became a name called Electrico, others became known as dinamita, mecanico, el indio, Killer Joe, Cuban Pete. He seemed embarassed for having made us all look like unaccomplished beginners. It took years -- almost ten -- before the stars at the Palladium caught up to his style, but I never heard his name mentioned. In fact, on one ever knew his name. That is true celebrity, like the Unknown Soldier.
