Compay Segundo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Compay Segundo
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Segundo at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba with a standing ovation in 2002
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles |
| Born | 18 November 1907 Siboney, Cuba |
| Died | 13 July 2003 (aged 95) Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Trova |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, composer |
| Instruments | Guitar, tres, armónico |
Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles (born November 18, 1907 – died July 13, 2003) was a famous Cuban musician. He was known by his stage name, "Compay Segundo." He was a talented guitarist, singer, and composer who played a big part in Cuban music.
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A Musical Journey
Compay Segundo got his nickname because he often sang the second voice in his music groups. "Compay" means "friend" or "buddy." He was born in Siboney, Cuba. When he was nine, his family moved to Santiago de Cuba.
He started his music career in the Municipal Band of Santiago de Cuba. His teacher, Enrique Bueno, led the band. Later, in 1934, he moved to Havana. There, he also played the clarinet in the Municipal Band.
Instruments and Inventions
Compay Segundo learned to play the guitar and the tres. The tres is a special Cuban guitar with three pairs of strings. These became his main instruments.
He also invented his own instrument called the armónico. It was a seven-string guitar-like instrument. He created it to help connect the sounds of the Spanish guitar and the tres.
Rising to Fame
In the 1950s, Compay Segundo became very well known. He was the second voice and tres player in a duo called Los Compadres. He formed this group with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo in 1947. Los Compadres became one of the most successful Cuban music duos of their time.
His biggest international fame came much later, in 1997. This was with the release of the Buena Vista Social Club album. This recording was a huge success and won several Grammy awards. Compay Segundo also appeared in the Buena Vista Social Club film by Wim Wenders.
Famous Songs
Compay Segundo's most famous song is "Chan Chan." It was the first song on the Buena Vista Social Club album. "Chan Chan" is a type of Cuban music called son cubano. Many artists have recorded "Chan Chan."
He wrote many other songs too, like "Sarandonga" and "Macusa." These songs were also sones. He loved playing music the way it was played a long time ago. He once said, "I play music the way it was played in yesteryear."
Later Years
Compay Segundo lived a very long life. He even sang for President Fidel Castro when he was over 90 years old. He also performed "Chan Chan" for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican City. He joked that his long life was due to eating mutton soup and drinking rum.
He hoped to live to be 115, but he passed away in Havana on July 13, 2003, from kidney failure. He was 95 years old. In 2007, a concert was held in Havana to celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday. A symphony orchestra played his songs with some of his musicians and sons.
Discography
- 1996–2015
- Yo Vengo Aquí (1996)
- Buena Vista Social Club (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records, 1997)
- Lo mejor de la vida (1998)
- Calle salud (1999)
- Las flores de la vida (2001)
- Duets (2002)
- Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records, 2008) (live album)
- Lost and Found (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records, 2015) (collection of previously unreleased tracks)
Images for kids
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The tomb of Compay Segundo at the Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia in Santiago de Cuba. March 2014
See also
In Spanish: Compay Segundo para niños
