Rafael Méndez facts for kids

Rafael Méndez (born March 26, 1906 – died September 15, 1981) was an amazing Mexican trumpet player. People called him the "Heifetz of the Trumpet," which means he was one of the best trumpet players ever, just like Jascha Heifetz was one of the best violinists.

Early life

Rafael Méndez was born in Jiquilpan, Michoacán, Mexico. He came from a family who loved music. When he was a child, he played the cornet for a famous leader named Pancho Villa. Villa liked Rafael's music so much that he wanted Rafael to stay with his group.

Career

Starting out in the US

When he was 20, Rafael Méndez moved to the United States. He first lived in Gary, Indiana, where he worked in steel mills. Later, he moved to Flint, Michigan, and worked at a Buick car factory while he started his music career.

Becoming a music star

From 1950 to 1975, Rafael Méndez was a full-time solo musician. This means he performed by himself, often with an orchestra. At his busiest, he played about 125 concerts every year! He also made many recordings. By 1940, he was in Hollywood, leading the brass section (the trumpets, trombones, etc.) for the M-G-M movie studio orchestra. He played music for movies like Flying Down to Rio and Hondo.

Rafael Méndez was famous for how he played. He had a beautiful sound (called "tone"), could play very high and low notes (his "range"), and had amazing skill (his "technique"). He was especially known for "double tonguing," which is a way to play notes very fast. His playing was bright, had a wide "vibrato" (a slight wavering in the sound), and very clear, quick "articulation" (how clearly each note is played).

He played many different kinds of music, including classical, popular, jazz, and Mexican folk music. He also wrote and arranged many songs for the trumpet. His song Scherzo in D minor is still played by trumpet players today.

He helped make "La Virgen de la Macarena," also known as "the bullfighter's song," very popular in the US. One of his most famous recordings was "Moto Perpetuo." This song was written for the violin by Niccolò Paganini a long time ago. In his version, Méndez plays continuously for over 4 minutes using "double-tonguing" and "circular breathing." Circular breathing is a special way to breathe while playing so it sounds like you never stop for air!

Personal life

Rafael Méndez married Amor Rodriguez after they met in Detroit. They had twin sons, Rafael G. Méndez, Jr. and Robert Méndez, who both became surgeons. He also had five grandchildren.

In the late 1950s, Rafael Méndez started having serious asthma problems, which made it harder for him to play as well as he used to. After he got hurt during a baseball game in Mexico in 1967, his health got worse. He stopped performing in 1975 but kept writing and arranging music.

He passed away at his home in Encino, California, on September 15, 1981.

Honors and legacy

Arizona State University has a special place called the Rafael Méndez Library in its music building. It opened on June 11, 1993, and is about 1,400 square feet. This library holds 300 handwritten music pieces and almost 700 songs and arrangements by Méndez. It also has many pictures, articles, and recordings. You can even find some of it online!

In 2006, the Los Angeles Opera honored Rafael Méndez by performing a show based on his life. A reviewer from The Los Angeles Times newspaper said that Méndez "has been called the greatest trumpet player of all time."

Discography

• Concerto for Méndez
• Love and Inspiration
• Magnificent Méndez
• Méndez in Madrid
• Méndez Plays Arban'
• Rafael Méndez & Laurindo Almeida Together
• Rafael Méndez (unplayed 4 disc set)
• Rafael Méndez and His Orchestra'
• The Magic Trumpet of Rafael Méndez
• The Majestic Sound of Rafael Méndez
• The Singing Trumpet
• The Trumpet Virtuosity of Rafael Méndez
• Trumpet Extraordinary (1957)
• Trumpet Showcase
• Trumpet Solos Extraordinary
• Trumpet Spectacular

See also

In Spanish: Rafael Méndez (trompetista) para niños