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Jorge Cafrune

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Jorge Cafrune (1937 to 1978) was one of the most popular Argentine folk singers of his time and also a tireless researcher and promoter of indigenous culture. He was born on the estancia La Matilde in the province of Jujuy, into a family of Syrian-Lebanese descent. He went to school in San Salvador de Jujuy and had guitar lessons from Nicolás Lamadrid. In 1957 he recorded his first album with the group Las voces de Huayra, which in 1960 became Los cantores del Alba, with Ariel Ramírez as manager.

Music and breakthrough

From 1962 he performed at the folk festival of Cosquín. In 1966, on a journey through small villages, he met the young singer José Larralde. In 1967 he began the journey De a caballo por mi patria, as a tribute to the leader Chacho Peñaloza. Dressed as a traditional gaucho, he travelled through Argentina to spread his art and message. Albums such as Que seas vos from 1964 and Yo he visto cantar al viento from 1968 preserve his work.

Influence

After years in Spain he returned in 1977 to Argentina, which was then under Videla's military dictatorship. The government saw a threat in his outspoken music, especially in his controversial song Zamba de mi esperanza. He said that he would keep singing it if his people asked for it, even though it was not on the permitted list. On 1 February 1978 he was hit at night, on horseback on a main road, by a van and died within twelve hours. For Argentines he is a symbol of folk music and of resistance.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Zamba de mi esperanza and notice the zamba as a dance and song form: a calm, swaying rhythm with a guitar and a voice singing full of restrained feeling.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists