Biography of Camilo Zapata
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ScribdTranslationsBiography of Camilo Zapata
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ScribdTranslationsCAMILO ZAPATA (Creator of Son Nica)
Of Jinotepe mother and Chinandega father, Camilo Zapata was born in Managua.
On September 25, 1917, a Bachelor of the Baptist College, studied
topography by correspondence and went to Chinandega after the earthquake
from December 23, 1972, which destroyed the capital.
He started at the age of fifteen in Managua when he sang on the station 'Rubén
Darío," while his companions Francisco Fiallos, Juan Ramón Bermúdez and
David Loáisiga, they do it in 'YNOP', the station that operated in the year 1932.
in the capital. At that time, it was fashionable to take trips to the lakeside.
Managua, Miralagos sector. Many people gather in that place, which was
taken advantage of by Camilo and other young people to play the guitar, sing, and let themselves be
to know
But its appearance must be placed in a historical moment, when it
embarks on the search and affirmation of national identity, after the
negative cultural consequences that the occupation had left
North American. That is why it is not arbitrary to relate the publication of the
Nicaraguan poems by Pablo Antonio Cuadra in 1934, with 'Little Horse'
"Chontaleño" by Camilo Zapata, a song written in that same year, in the rhythm of
six by eight, constituting the birth certificate of the 'Son Nica'.
With this name, this popular and typical rhythm of ours has been identified.
with our own eyes starting with Zapata, who later premieres 'The
"Nandaimeño", "El Solar de Monimbó", and "El Ganado Colorado", to name three of
its consecratory pieces. A rhythm that José Francisco Borgén proposed to call
with success scratched and which was wrongly spread as "Song"
"folkloric." Borgén himself described Zapata when he participated in the
live programs of Radio La Voz de la América Central: "Small, thin,
dark, carefree.
His humility attracts sympathy; but more than his humility, the fact of carrying
to the microphone fresh melodies from our fields" and also from our
towns and citadels, as will be revealed in their songs "Nindirí", "Ticuantepe"
and "Colonial Street".
Camilo Zapata had graduated in Mexico as a surveying engineer with
specialization in irrigation systems and soil conservation, a profession that
led to knowing, inch by inch, a good part of the national territory and to creating
conscious in the words of Pablo Antonio Cuadra he is the sound that dances within us,
in the musical subconscious of the people. He was the first to value and give
cultured continuity to the most characteristic popular rhythm of Nicaraguans.
For Carlos Mántica, he introduced our folk-inspired rhythms to the
salons "dressing the marimba with guitar."
For us, it integrates with Erwin Krüger and Tino López Guerra the golden trio.
the typical or vernacular music of Nicaragua. Furthermore, he was the first Nicaraguan
recorded on disk "Caballito chontaleños" and "Solar de Monimbó", pressed by
the RCA of Mexico, when the records were 78 revolutions per minute; and the
first to internationalize. His compositions were performed by the
Hermanos Silva (chilenos), Los Diamantes (peruanos), Los Quipus
(Ecuadorians) and others.
However, its production was not limited to the vernacular trend. Its 'Pregón'
of the Ice Cream Vendor", that the privileged audience in the 40s was not an atmosphere
Nicaraguan, but he was influenced by Cubanism. Besides that, he was an author
of melodies of all kinds: waltzes, tangos, ballads, boleros, announcements and
carols. In this last genre, his "Little Bells of
Christmas. Festive, rich in nuances and local color, the pioneering composer
Camilo Zapata, in creating the 'son nica,' touched the most sensitive strings of the soul of
our town.
On April 16, 1994, the House of the Artist pays tribute to the distinguished
composer. Several blocks were closed for rhythmic gymnastics of the
Ramírez Goyena National Institute and at least five thousand people could
saying goodbye to the great Nicaraguan composer who is leaving his beloved
Nicaragua, to reside in the United States of America.
Camilo, visibly emotional, said he deeply appreciated the gesture.
of the national artists and urged them to keep alive the spirit of
collaboration on this heritage, as it will benefit the new
generations. It also indicated that differences should be set aside and the
selfishness and seeking the common good united by art for the benefit of all.
Don Carlos Garzón (rest in peace) awarded the gold distinction, followed by the presentation
from a scroll of honor by the National Brewing Company
hands of Mr. Guillermo Mejía. Then the vice president of the House of the Artist
National, Lic. Hosman Balmaceda, also delivered a recognition in
name of the House of the Artist and of Margarina Cremy. A hundred artists
I was waiting patiently to pay tribute to the great composer of "Caballito".
Chontaleño", "La Minga Rosa Pineda", "El Solar de Monimbó", y tantas otras.
Among the participating artists in this tribute were old glories of
our art such as: Jorge Isaac Carballo, Gilberto Guzmán, Jimmy Wilson, Daysi
Wilson, Eveling Martínez, Otto de la Rocha, [[Mario Montenegro, Trio Los Andes,
among others. Poets, fonomímicos, guitar players, ENIGRAC also participated,
the Culture Commission of the National Assembly, choreographer Bayardo Ortiz
and the honorary members of the National Artist House.
In this tribute, Camilo Zapata inaugurated the mural that is located at the
entrance of the National Artist House, next to Don Gilberto Guzmán, work
made by the caricaturist and painter Luis Cuadra, better known in the environment
artistic like ARCHI. On August 29, 1998, The Folkloric Ballet
Nicaraguan, paid homage to the creator of 'Son Nica' with the production
In the scene of the musical theme 'Minga Rosa Pineda', this theme was selected because
to be one of the most well-known of Camilo Zapata, said the group's director,
Ronald Abud Vivas
Camilo Zapata lived surrounded by trophies, diplomas, and decorations that,
foreign governments and that of Nicaragua have paid tribute in recognition to
his artistic work. Camilo Zapata died on June 23, 2009, the father of son.
Nica died in her home, ironically on Father's Day.