Pepe Sánchez (trova)

Pepe Sánchez ( * March 19, 1856; † January 3, 1918 ), born José Sánchez in Santiago de Cuba, was a Cuban musician, singer and composer. He is considered the father of the trova and as the creator of the Cuban bolero.

Life

Sánchez was originally Schneider and later the co-owner of a copper mine as well as representatives of a cloth manufacturer from Kingston ( Jamaica) in Santiago. Although he was a mulatto, he moved in the upper and middle classes of his native city; his activities as a businessman and a musician led to his toleration and recognition.

He had experience in the Cuban Buffo Theatre, but no formal musical training. He composed pieces in my head, without writing them down.

Works

Although about two dozen remained, because friends and disciples wrote it down, went most of his pieces are lost. His first bolero, Tristezas, is still in the repertoire. Sánchez wrote next to pieces of music also advertising jingles. For the big Trovadores who followed him, he was a teacher and role model: Sindo Garay, Rosendo Ruiz, Manuel Corona and Alberto Villalón.

Other of his works are Pobre artista, Rosa I, II and III, Cuando la Oi expression de tu canto, Cuba, mi patria querida, Caridad, Esperanza, Naturaleza and Himno a Maceo.

There is a modern recording of his music:

• La música de Pepe Sánchez. Siboney LD -315