Italian tango artists

t is not our intention to comprehend all those, who were not born here, that had a close connection with our tango music, contributed to its evolution, improved its quality and made it famous worldwide. We are going to mention only forty-four of them, those who came from Italy, their fatherland and settled in our nation and worked hard to make it big.

Thirty-one of these artists already are in Todo Tango and will only be mentioned in alphabetical order: Luis César Amadori, Hugo Ricardo Baralis, Mario Battistella, José Bragato, Julio Camilloni, Julián Centeya, Antonino Cipolla, César Consi, Ignacio Corsini, Héctor Darío, César de Pardo, Manlio Francia, Salvador Grupillo, Eddie Kay (Edmundo Tulli), José Libertella, Lorenzo Logatti, Roberto Maida, Alberto Marino, Salvador Merico, Gerardo Metallo, Alejandro Michetti, Alberto Morán, Modesto Papavero, Alfredo Pelaia, Cayetano Puglisi, Donato Racciatti, Juan Rezzano, Ambrosio Río, Antonio Rodio, Antonio Scatasso, Félix Scolati Almeyda and Virginia Vera.

Of the remaining thirteen we shall add some information about their lives and oeuvre, also in alphabetical order.

Armando Acquarone, a musician born in Genoa on April 7, 1891. His smash hit was “San José de Flores” which was made popular by the singer Alberto Morán.

Juan Caldarella, born in Sicily on May 15, 1891. He composed, together with the Scarpino brothers, the famous tango “Canaro en París” whose so well-known variations were an idea he had when he attempted to play music with a comb and cellophane paper.

Pascual Cardaropoli, pianist born in San Giorgio, Sicily. His most successful composition was “La sonámbula” which was recorded by Juan Maglio and was the first recording of a bandoneon solo in the history of tango.

Francisco Famiglietti, born in Catania on December 14, 1889. A bandoneonist that played with Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores, Juan Guido and Luis Bernstein and composed several tango pieces, among them: “Mar revuelto” and “Un bohemio”. He died in Buenos Aires on July 9, 1937. Eight children survived him.

Juan Fulginiti, guitarist, poet and itinerant singer, born in the city of Riva on June 18, 1895. Also author of the tangos “Honor gaucho” and “Llorando la carta”.

The singer Josefina, born in Corigliano, Cosenza, on January 21, 1946 who appeared at the mythical venue Les Trottoirs de Paris in the 80s.

Iris Marga, actress and singer in her youth, born in Orvietto, Laccio, on January 18, 1907. In Buenos Aires she premiered the tango “Julián”.

Luis Mottolese, born in Potenza on June 21, 1901. Violinist, composer, author of the waltzes “Pobre flor” and “Obsesión”, was member of several orchestras, among them the one led by Juan Carlos Cobián and his own aggregation.

Eugenio Nobile, born in Calabria on June 3, 1903. Before devoting to jazz this violinist played tango. In 1929 was lead violin with Pedro Maffia, joined the Ferrazano-Pollero orchestra, played with Juan Polito and, in 1936, joined the big orchestra fronted by Juan Carlos Cobián. He composed “Quimeras”, recorded by Julio De Caro, “Cocoliche”, “El Lido”, “Mujer de carnaval”, “Se fini” and “No tengas que sufrir”.

Nicolás Paracino, bandoneonist, born in Catania on April 28, 1923. He composed the tangos “A Juan José Paz”, “El retoque” and “Repuntando”.

Miguel Ángel Pepe, Mapera, a musician born in Reggio, Calabria, on March 4, 1907. Composer of “Llámame amor mío” and “Un sólo minuto de amor”.

Domingo Plateroti, a bandoneon player that appeared in the aggregations led by Juan Maglio and by Juan Guido. Composer of “Puro apronte”, “Melancolía”, “Nieblas” and the waltz “Roncador”. He passed away on December 25, 1969.

Juan Pomati, born in Milano on March 13, 1913 and died on July 16, 1974. Composer of “La vida te dirá, “Bien bohemio”, “Un tango y nada más”, “Muñeca del Once”, “Siempre tu voz” and other pieces in the fifties.