Josephine Powell(1936-2021)

Josephine Powell was born October 11, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, where her parents ran a family operated Polish Beer Garden until they relocated to North Hollywood in 1946. Her mother Anna was a seamstress at Republic Studios, fashioning shirts for Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, before purchasing a Country and Western tavern. Ms. Powell graduated from Hollywood High School in 1954 before joining the staff of the Arthur Murray Studios; she aspired to become a combined Carmen Miranda, Betty Grable and Ginger Rogers. Mastering the art of Mambo dancing, she became known as the Hollywood Mambo Queen when she was discovered by Latin percussion orchestra leader Tito Puente, whom she partnered for numerous years. After a ten year stint in Las Vegas and a trip to Vietnam to entertain the troops, Ms. Powell became a Realtor to rock stars. Using her vast knowledge of Cuban music and dance she also became a consultant for the motion picture The Mambo Kings (1992), which soundtrack was nominated for an Oscar.