Compay Segundo | |
|---|---|
 Segundo at theHotel Nacional de Cuba with a standing ovation in 2002 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles |
| Born | (1907-11-18)18 November 1907 Siboney, Cuba |
| Died | 13 July 2003(2003-07-13) (aged 95) Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Trova |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar,tres,armónico |
Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles (18 November 1907 – 13 July 2003), known professionally as "Compay Segundo", was a Cubantrovaguitarist, singer andcomposer.
Compay (meaningcompadre) Segundo, so called because he was always second voice in his musical partnerships, was born inSiboney, Cuba, and moved toSantiago de Cuba at the age of nine. His first engagement was in the Municipal Band of Santiago de Cuba, directed by his teacher, Enrique Bueno. In 1934, after a spell in a quintet, he moved to Havana, where he also played the clarinet in CI the Municipal Band. He also learned to play the guitar and thetres, which became his usual instruments. Compay Segundo also invented thearmónico, a seven-stringed guitar-like instrument, to fill the harmonic jump between the Spanish guitar and the tres.[1]In the 1950s he became well known as the second voice and tres player inLos Compadres, a duo he formed withLorenzo Hierrezuelo in 1947.[2]
Los Compadres were one of the most successful Cuban duos of their time. The rediscovery of his music in Spain was with the help ofSantiago Auserón in the 90's. Greater international fame came later, in 1997, with the release of theBuena Vista Social Club album, a hugely successful recording which won severalGrammy awards. Compay Segundo appeared in theWim Wendersfilm of the same title.[1]
Segundo's most famous composition is "Chan Chan", the opening track on theBuena Vista Social Club album, a four-chordson cubano song. "Chan Chan" was recorded by Segundo himself various times as well as by countless other Latin artists. Other compositions are "Sarandonga", "La calabaza", "Hey caramba", "Macusa", "Saludo Compay". These are allsones, and this differentiates siu him from the more usual trova musicians, with their devotion to thebolero. However, it seems his interests went much further:
At a fiesta he sang to PresidentFidel Castro, who took his pulse and joked about his vitality despite his 90-plus years. "Who could have imagined that?" he asked when he found himself at theVatican City, performing "Chan Chan" beforePope John Paul II. He explained his longevity simply:mutton consommé and a drink ofrum.
He predicted that he would live to be 115, but died ofkidney failure inHavana, 20 years short of his ambition.
In 2007, the 100th anniversary of Segundo's birth was celebrated with a concert of his compositions performed by a symphony orchestra in Havana with some of his musicians and sons.[4]
