Jose Norman, born Joseph Norman Sternberg in 1906 in Liverpool, was a pioneering figure in the introduction of Cuban music to Europe. His early life was marked by a series of transformations; after his parents separated, he adopted his mother's surname, Henderson, and was later adopted by a Greek couple. Trained as a classical pianist in France under Alfred Cortot and Vincent d'Indy, Norman initially made a name for himself in classical music before exploring more exotic musical styles, including leading a Hawaiian band in the 1920s under the stage name Joseph Norman.

His encounter with Cuban music, particularly inspired by the family of the Cuban consul general in Liverpool, led him to become one of the first to play Cuban music in England, earning him the title of the man who introduced the rumba to Europe. In 1933, he married Manuela Garcia-Iniguez Enamorado, a daughter of the Cuban consul, and moved to London.

Norman's musical career included recordings with various bands, such as Joseph Norman and His Cuban Rumba Band, Jose Norman's Novelty Band, and Jose Norman's Hawaiian Band. His work in the early 1930s featured recordings like "Fiesta" and "Manuela" with vocalist Malandrino, and other tracks like "Aloha Sunset Land" and "Hawaiian Eyes." Despite some rejections by major labels, his contributions to the music scene were significant, particularly in popularizing Latin music styles in England. Jose Norman passed away in 1990, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the cultural exchange between Cuba and Europe through music.