OBITUARIES : Eddie Cano, 60; Jazz Pianist Popular in L.A. Nightclubs

Edward (Eddie) Cano Jr., a jazz pianist well known in Los Angeles nightclubs for his blending of jazz harmonics and Latin rhythms, died of an apparent heart attack over the weekend.

Cano, who was a favorite of such entertainers as Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Merman, Jackie Cooper and Jerry Lewis, was 60, said his former wife, Laura.

He was found dead in his Boyle Heights home early Saturday morning by neighbors.

A native of Los Angeles, Cano was raised in a musical family. His grandfather played with the Mexico City Symphony and taught him to play the string bass and his father taught him how to play the guitar. He studied the piano and trombone privately.

Cano played with Latin band leader Miguelito Valdez in 1947-48 and later formed his own combo and played clubs around town where he became a favorite of Fitzgerald, Eddie Fisher, Miss Merman, Lewis, Cooper and Diahann Carroll, his former wife said.

In recent years, he played at many popular Los Angeles nightclubs, including P.J.’s and the Grand Avenue Bar and Grill. He had played until just days before his death, she said.

In 1966 he received the second annual “Outstanding Service Award” from a group of Mexican-American community organizations.

Cano, who is survived by two daughters, recorded a solo album of Cole Porter songs for RCA Victor and was featured on the recordings of Les Baxter and Cal Tjader.