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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentsCHAMACO GARCIA (1938 - 2016) By: Maria Argelia Vizcaino A way of paying tribute to Chamaco Garcia is to remember his long professional and exemplary artistic career. His voice and versatility allowed him to dominate all genres, from the son and bolero to zarzuelas, operas and Broadway musicals. His charismatic personality and generosity catapulted him among one of the most beloved artists of the Cuban exile, he participated in numerous concerts, festivals, international events, and charitable works. In addition to the main cities of the United States, he performed in over 23 countries. According to Dr. Diaz Ayala, his first recordings were with the Havana Cuban Boys orchestra founded in 1946 by its director, composer, and pianist Armando Orefiche. He sang with the renowned Riverside Orchestra, the Hermanos Castro, Ernesto Duarte, and in CMQ directed by Rafael Somavilla and Enrique Gonzalez Mantici. Furthermore, he also sang with Adolfo Guzman and Julio Gutierrez in Cuba, Miami and New York. In 1958, he was a member of the musical group Luis Santi, which was in charge of the music for CMQ radio and TV, participating in radio programs such as Alvarin"o and Echegoyen Show and Fiesta en el Aire. Alongside radio and television performances, he sang in Havana's best nightclubs and cabarets. In 1960, he performed in the Capri Cabaret show in the Capri Hotel and Casino. His talent and popularity, led legendary choreographer and artistic director of the Tropicana and the National Theater musical director, Roderico "Rodney" Neyra to hire him for his company. The company left Cuba for a world tour on October 1st. The tour began in Mexico and ended in Argentina. Chamaco returned to Mexico where he was well known for his performances at the Tropicana Show at the prestigious cabaret El Sefiorial in Mexico City in the Lirico and Blanquita theaters. Together with Manola Fabregas, actor, director, entrepreneur, who developed his musical theater career, beginning with The Fiddler on the Roof (music and the lyrics of Pulitzer Prize winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick) where he had extraordinary success, and continued with other great theatrical productions including the musical Hello Dolly, with Libertad Lamarque, produced by Manolo Fabregas. For five years, he remained in Mexico's Channel 6. He was a steady figure in two weekly programs: the musical variety show Tiempo de Estrellas and the comedy Un Matrimonio Moderno, directed by Jesus Alvarifio. In 1963, he became the lead vocal talent for record label Peerless. We found him on an advertisement that read Desfile Musical Peerless, 1963, with Chamaco Garcia. He was also invited to perform in the popular variety show El Estudio de Pedro Vargas, with Pedro Vargas known as "Tenor de las Americas". Chamaco also interpreted the musical theme of the 1970 Mexican telenovela Encrucijada transmitted on Televisa and produced by Valentin Pimstein. In 1970, he settled in the city of Miami although he continued to travel and work in in New York City and other countries. He performed on Broadway and worked with the prestigious artistic directors Rene Bush and Andrede Shields. In 1980, USICA (International Agency of Communications of the United States) contracted several artists to embark on a twelve country tour to promote the arts. Chamaco performed several musical works from Broadway, such as Mundo de Cristal (The Glass Menagerie), by American playwright by Tennessee Williams and La Celestina, based on the classic fifteenth century novel by Fernando de Rojas. Up next was a leading role in The Fantasticks, a musical work that according to The New York Times is the longest running musical in history. On August 31, 1980, the "Arts and Leisure Guide; of Interest Theater recent openings Dance Film Music" section of the New York Times praises Chamaco for his brilliant perfoiniance in El Repertorio Espanol's production of The Fantasticks. He continued to gain success and acclaim for his performances in musicals and plays, such as: • Cabaret Bamboo, alongside Priscilla Lopez and Andre The Shield • Tropicana, by Chuck Gomez, with the Venezuelan actress Lupita Ferrer. • The Merry Widow (opera by the Austrian -Hungarian composer Franz Lehar), • El Bravo Directed and choreographed by Patricia Birch, (choreographer of Grease, 1978) with music and lyrics by John Clifton, and book by Jose Fernandez and Thom Schiera. • Private Lives (written by Noel Coward) • The Sound of Music (music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein) • The King and I (written by Rodgers and Hammerstein II, with a screenplay based on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon) • Oklahoma • Cecilia Valdes (by Gonzalo Roig) • Don Juan Tenorio (by Jose Zorrilla), • El Cafetal, Maria la 0, (by Ernesto Lecuona), • La Verbena de la Paloma • Las Leandras • La Revoltosa • Gigantes y Cabezudos • Filomena Marturano (1983) -Hall Teatro Arlequin • La Flor de La Vida (1984) - Teatro La Danza • La gentil de ayer (1976). He was the leading man and starred with Virginia Alonso. The first Cuban zarzuela written in exile by Luis Carballo. • The Butterflies Are Free by Leonard Gershe, directed by Maria Julia Casanova. • Un triangulo mas, by one of the most renowned Cuban playwrights, Maria Julia Casanova. Teatro LaDanza • El Sueno de Marti Throughout his career, Chamaco repeatedly worked and shared the stage with many talented artists and performers. • Blanquita Amaro o Vidas Privadas o Cuba Canta y Baila o Cuba Libre • Mujer de Trapo — Minin Bujones • Tres tenores y una dama — Martha Casafias • Musical production by Maestro Julio Gutierrez at the Eden Rock — Flor D'Lotto, July del Rio • Violines y Trompetas —Miguelito De Grandy, Martha Perez, Sylvia Derbez, Tania Marti, Normita Suarez, Norma Zuniga, Lupe Suarez, Angelita Castany, Armando Terron, Marco Antonio Muniz, and Lucho Gatica Chamaco continued to work in well-known TV stations like, Televisa, Univision, Telemundo, and PBS. He could be seen on popular shows, such as Siempre en Domingo, Sabado Gigante, El Show de Porcel, La Feria de la Alegria, and was also special recurring guest "Father Santos" in the beloved and critically praised bilingual television series Que pasa USA?. For several years, he also produced and hosted his own musical variety television show titled Con la Alegria de la Musica on the TeleMiami network. Throughout several seasons, he was also the vocal soloist for the Miami Beach Symphony Orchestra. Chamaco's artistic career spanned over 60 years. He successfully worked in radio, television and theater. Chamaco was the voice and face for advertising campaigns, such as Amoco, Advil, and Crisco Oil. Alongside his wife Lucy Garcia, he produced, directed and performed in his annual concerts where he honored the talents that preceded him while also opening the doors to new talent. Thanks to YouTube, some of his best perfoiinances can now be seen and enjoyed. • Chamaco dances and performs "Serenata Mulata" and "Para Vigo me voy" on this link https://youtu.be/xD6tatvnYsc. • In 1994 and 1995, Mara and Orlando, under the direction of Gonzalo Rodriguez, presented the Cuban show Si to quieres por el pico divertir, based on the book by Cristobal Diaz Ayala, at the Miami Dade County Auditorium. Here is Chamaco interpreting a potpourri that includes El panquelero, Echale salsita, and El Yerberito, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr481TWna_g, • Chamaco honoring the enigmatic real life character "El Caballero de Paris" in his annual show, reciting and singing the poignant song by Jose Canete, https://youtu.be/3 d0-bCa9 Was. • Chamaco and beloved radio personality, Aleida Leal performing at the Miami Dade County Auditorium, https://youtu.be/f mGDRi 43E. • Chamaco paying tribute to the Maestro Touzet, on stage at the Dade County Auditorium. He interpretes"La noche de anoche, "No to importe saber" and "Oye". On that day, Maestro Touzet declared in public that "Chamaco knows how to sing better than anyone". Check it out by visiting https://youtu.be/eF1CyQ5xSGE. • Chamaco introducing Eglise Gutierrez. In his concert, he stated that it was "One of the most beautifully educated voices that has come from Cuba and her star was sure to shine. Https://youtu.be/F-COORMMgLO. Today, Eglise is one of the most relevant opera voices in the United States, singing with artists such as Andrea Boccelli. He has received multiple awards among them: • Mexican Music Festival - "Best Singer" (1962). • New York Latin Asociacion de Cronistas de Espectaculos (ACE) Awards — "Best Actor" (1978) for The Fantasticks. • Jose Marti Foundation - Gold Medal Recipient (1993) • In his honor, August 24, 1991 was officially declared "Chamaco Garcia's Day" in the City of Miami • In his honor, August 25, 1991 was officially declared "Chamaco Garcia Day" in Miami Dade County. • Univision News paid homage to him in the popular segment "Nuestro Orgullo". • The University of Miami — Gold Medal of Great Music Legends in 2016. • Heraldo de Mexico — "Best Supporting Actor" (1969) for Fiddler on the • The A.C. C.A (Association of Critics and Commentaries of the Arts), — 12 wins and 14 nominations in categories such as "Best Actor", "Singer of the year", "Personality of the Year", "Best Director", and "Best Supporting Actor". • ACRIN (Association of Critics in North America) — 15 wins and 18 nominations in categories such as, "Best Actor", "Best Character Actor", "Best Supporting Actor" ,"Best Musical Performance", "Best Comedy Actor", "Singer of the Year". Chamaco also was also known for his compassionate heart. Some of his charitable actions include: • Visiting and meeting with Cuban rafters being held at the Guantanamo Naval Base. • Visiting and meeting with Cubans stranded in Panama because of the events of the Panama Embassy in Cuba. • Joining a group of Cuban -American doctors from Miami on a humanitarian mission to help with the medical/dental needs for the impoverished people and children of Managua, Nicaragua. • Performing at many charity concerts for La Liga Contra El Cancer. In 2009, when Chamaco turns 71, he records his last song, "Mi guitarra se enamora igual que yo" by the late Maestro Rene Touzet. In 2011, invited by Maestro Enrique Chia, he performs for the last time at the Miami -Dade County Auditorium. In June of 2016, Chamaco underwent minor surgery on his back. Unfortunately during the medical procedure he was infected with an aggressive bacteria and never recovered. On Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from South Miami Hospital, his wife Lucy Garcia wrote in pain, "Just a little while ago Chamaco passed away, he left in peace, by my side, a great relief, now he is in the light." In his passing, multiple messages of love and praise invaded the press, radio and social networks. A genuine man, who besides his fame maintained his characteristic humility and good humor at all times. It is true that his absence leaves a void, but we fill it remembering all that he gave us. Human beings do not die when their light is extinguished on earth, but when those who are still alive leave them in the infinite darkness. Thank you, Lord, for the life of Chamaco Garcia. He has received multiple awards as a singer and actor amongst them: In 1962, he won the award for best singer in the First Mexican Music Festival. In 1969, he won the award "Heraldo de Mexico" for being the best supporting actor on "Fiddler on the Roof". Awarded in 1978, as "Best Actor", by the ACE of New York for his performance in "The Fantasticks". "Gold Medal" as singer of the year 1987. Gold Medal by the Jose Marti Foundation in 1993. Gold Medal Osvaldo Farres by Academia Luminaria de las Bellas Artes 2013 The University of Miami awarded him with the Gold Medal of Great Music Legends in 2016. In his honor, August 24, 1991 was officially declared "Chamaco Garcia's Day in the City of Miami". In his honor, August 25, 1991 was officially declared "Chamaco Garcia's Day in Miami Dade County. Univision paid homage to him in his popular segment "Nuestro Orgullo." The A.C.C.A (Association of Critics and Commentaries of the Arts), awarded him with 14 nominations and he won 12 of those nominations. Amongst the awards he won were: First actor, Singer of the year, Personality of the year, Director, and Supporting actor. ACRIN (Association of Critics in North America) and received 18 nominations in which he won in 15 different occasions. Amongst the awards he won were: First Actor, Character Actor, Supporting Actor, Best Musical Performance, Comedy Actor, Singer of the Year, and Musical Comedy.