e was born in Buenos Aires, in the neighborhood of Villa Crespo. His father, Héctor, was a musician.

After he finished his elementary school studies he got a job at the Droguería Americana in which he stayed four years. With his wage he was paying his piano lessons.

When he managed to play some pieces, he quit his job and dared to start his career as musician. He began as many others playing in the cinema theaters of the neighborhood, but even though he still lacked the necessary knowledge he was daring because his father was violinist in a simple orchestra.

On one occasion, this aggregation was hired for a contest of “dancing endurance” at a kermess held for raising funds. The pianist told them he was sick just in time and Luis’s father encouraged his son to play. He taught him some chords and accompaniments and so he made his debut. But his lack of training to play several hours without rest and his early age made him to become very tired. Someone who was near him realized that and encouraged him to continue by offering him money, one peso. He made the effort for a while and, again another peso and another until the end of that strange musical performance.

In 1927 he was pianist in the Ricardo Brignolo Orchestra, later switching to several ones: that of Ángel Ramos, the one led by Carlos Tirigal, the orchestra headed by Ernesto de la Cruz and the one led by Miguel Caló. With the latter he had a four-year tenure.

In 1933 he put together his own orchestra with which he made his debut on Radio Mayo. He also played on other radio stations. During a session his vocalist was the musician and singer Virginio Gobbi, brother of Alfredo.

As composer his oeuvre to remember was “Ensueños”, a tango with a beautiful melody. Even though it has lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo it preferably has been played as an instrumental. Other titles of his are: “Quimera de amor”, “De mil amores [b]”, “Milonga porteña” (in collaboration with Miguel Caló) and “Rosas blancas”, with lyrics by Mario César Gomila; “Aquel fulgor”, “Dejame” and “Y estás en mí”, with lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo; “Campanita de oración” and “Pesadilla”, with lyric by Armando Tagini.

In 1947 he withdrew from show business to devote himself to commerce. He ran a bookshop in the neighborhood of Belgrano, precisely on 4650 11 de Septiembre Street.

Excerpted from the Córdoba Tango magazine Nº 6.