Famed musician Edmundo Ros has died at the age of 100.
The band leader, who is credited with popularising Latin American music in the U.K., passed away at his home in Spain on Friday night (21Oct11).
The news was confirmed by John Adrian, of showbiz charity the Grand Order of Water Rats, who told the Bbc on Saturday (22Oct11), "He died last night peacefully at his home in Spain, two months short of his 101st birthday."
Ros, who was born in Trinidad, started his career as a tympanist in the Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, but became involved in popular music after moving to London in the 1930s.
He formed a five-piece Rumba Band in 1940, which later became known as Edmundo Ros and his Orchestra, and started recording for the Parlophone record label.
Ros' music was hugely popular with Britain's royal family and Queen Elizabeth II gave her first dance in public to one of his songs before she ascended to the throne.
He was invited to play at London's Buckingham Palace on many occasions and received an Order of the British Empire (Obe) for services to entertainment in 2000.