Caturla studied in Havana and also with Boulanger in Paris. He founded and conducted the Orquesta de Conciertos de Caibarién. Caturla's compositions were lively concoctions of Afro-Cuban rhythms, broken forms, unusual chord combinations, and unbalanced orchestrations. Although his heritage was white, he attempted to synthesize the white and black characteristic of Cuban music. Caturla made his living as a lawyer and served as a municipal judge in his native city. He was shot dead by a criminal out on bail who had been prosecuted in his court.