Domingo Cruz


Domingo Cruz, a.k.a., "Cocolía", was a late 19th-century Puerto Rican musician, and director of the Ponce Firefighters' Band.

Early years

Domingo Cruz was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on 3 July 1864.

Professional career

Cocolía 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, the Banda Municipal de Ponce. Upon the death of Juan Morel Campos, Cruz became the director of the Ponce Municipal Band. He directed it from 1896 until 1916.

Death

Cocolia died in 1934 in the Province of Alicante, Spain.

Legacy

The city of Ponce recognized his work with a statue. For many years, Cocolia's statue stood in front of the Instituto de Musica Juan Morel Campos, which took over the space previously occupied by the downtown Ponce fire station, next to Teatro La Perla. It currently stands at Plaza Las Delicias.
Cocolia is also recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
In Ponce, there is also a park named after him at the intersection of Calle Intendente Ramirez, Calle Mayor, and Calle Tricoche streets.