Trio Matamoros

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

The Trío Matamoros was a Cuban trova group from Santiago de Cuba. Miguel Matamoros and Rafael Cueto played guitar, Siro Rodríguez played maracas and claves, and all three sang and composed. They began in 1925 as Trio Oriental and in 1928 changed their name to Trio Matamoros, because a group with the first name already existed. The three stayed together for thirty-five years. In May 1961 they announced their farewell, after a last concert in New York the year before.

Music and breakthrough

The group played boleros and son, toured Latin America and Europe and recorded in New York. Miguel Matamoros wrote much of the repertoire and was one of the most prolific composers of Cuban son. His first hit was El que siembra su maíz. Lágrimas negras and Son de la Loma, among others, followed. In 1934 they recorded a song about the disaster of the ship Morro Castle. For a trip to Mexico Matamoros expanded the trio into a conjunto, with the young Beny Moré as singer from 1945 to 1947.

Influence

The group was praised for its harmony singing and the quality of its lyrics. It is regarded as important in the rise of son, which later became the basis for salsa and other Caribbean dance music.

Listening

• 
  Son de la Loma · Trio Matamoros, 1928
  Apple Music ↗

Discography

Studio albums

• 1955Ecos de Cuba
• 1955Trío Matamoros, vol. II
• 1956Trío Matamoros en San Juan
• ?El autentico Ciro, Cueto y Miguel
• ?Trío Matamoros, vol. II

See also

• Son