Mario Ruiz Armengol

Mario Ruiz Armengol (sometimes "Mayito" o "Mister Harmony") (March 14, 1914 or 1911 Veracruz, – December 22, 2002 Cancun), was a Mexican pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and teacher. Son of pianist and conductor Ismael Ruiz Suárez and Rosa Armengol.

Ruiz Armengol started to play piano at 8 years old and debuted as conductor at 15 along with Leopoldo Beristaín. At 16 years old Ruiz Armengol was one of the funding members of the XEW (a legendary Mexican radio broadcaster) band.

He studied with José Rolón, Rodolfo Halffter and Joaquín Amparán and in 1942 met Manuel M. Ponce with whom he started a close friendship. By 1954 is named "Mr. Harmony" by American musicians as Duke Ellington, Billy Mays and Claire Fisher.

Ruiz Armengol wrote more than 31 child songs, 19 Cuban dances, 16 studies, 16 reflections, 32 miniatures, 5 waltzes, scherzos, minuets, sonatas, fantasies, preludes y piano works for four hands, chamber music for piano and violin, violincello, harp and flute.

References

• (Spanish) http://www.mruizarmengol.com/
• (Spanish) http://www.musicaunam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=814&Itemid=132
• (Spanish) http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2002/12/24/06an1esp.php?origen=espectaculos.html
• (Spanish) http://sic.conaculta.gob.mx/ficha.php?estado_id=30&table=artista&table_id=1791

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Name	Ruiz Armengol, Mario
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Date of death	2002
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