Don Tosti [1923-2004] is known as the "Father of Pachuco Boogie." Born in 1923, he was considered a child prodigy and grew up to become a musical success. He bequeathed to the Regents of UC the rights to his collection in an effort to expand the knowledge of Mexican American music. The archived handwritten orchestral scores and music sheets along with the successful adoption of his music by many musicians attest to his extraordinary musicianship. Biographical material, correspondence, teaching materials, event and promotional materials, sheet music, music books, photos, and audio and video files that include his music chronicle Tosti's life as a Mexican American musician.

Don Tosti was a musician, composer, band and orchestra leader whose illustrious career spanned more than seven decades. He was born on the March 27, 1923 in El Paso, Texas. Don Tosti rose above his humble origins in El Paso's hardscrabble Segundo barrio, becoming a child prodigy at nine years of age and playing second violin with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. Following a move to East Los Angeles at the age of fifteen, he began playing saxophone first, then the bass, and formed his own swing band. He attended Roosevelt High School, becoming concertmaster for the All-City high school orchestra. His growing prowess on the string bass took him through a star-studded musical career as a jazz player with legends such as Jack Teagarden, Jimmy Dorsey, Bobby Sherwood, Les Brown and Charlie Barnett.

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Copyright for all of Don Tosti's creative materials has been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections.

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