Luis Alfonzo Larrain

Infobox musical artist
Name = Luis Alfonzo Larrain


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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Alias = "Magician of the dancing Music"
Born = birth date|1911|7|22|mf=y
flagicon|Venezuela La Victoria, Aragua state, Venezuela
Died = death date and age|1996|7|4|1911|7|22
Caracas, Venezuela
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Genre = Venezuelan popular music, Caribbean music
Occupation = musician, composer, director, producer
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Associated_acts = "Luis Alfonzo Larrain Orchestra"
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Luis Alfonzo Larrain (July 22, 1911 – July 4, 1996), was a Venezuelan composer, music director and producer, better known as the "Magician of the dancing Music".

Early life and career

Luis Alfonzo Larrain was born in the city of La Victoria, Aragua state, Venezuela, son of "Ana Larrain Martínez" and "Alejandro Alfonzo Pérez". In 1918 the Larrain family moves to Caracas and resides at the parish of "La Pastora". From very young feels attracted by the music, being his first influences the band directed by "Carlo Bonet" and "Ana Martinez", his mother teach Luis to sing and play the cuatro. At the age of nine, starts to compose, and was stimulated by the Spanish singer Pilar Arcos, who include his compositions in her repertoire. In 1925, forms a small orchestra, next to Raúl Briceño, Rafael Uzcategui and Eduardo Serrano. Luis Alfonzo executed the banjo and was the manager of the group.

In 1927 founds the "Flava Orchestra", the next year, presents at the more distinguished events of Venezuela, like: the Majestic Hotel and in the collegiate event "Sacalapatalaja," being considered an irreverence artistic "antigomecista" (against Juan Vicente Gómez) movement. Soon get inside to the orchestra "Federico Ayesta" (Trumpet), "Heber Hernandez" (Violin), "Luis Eladio Guevara" (Saxophone) and eventually Antonio Lauro (Guitar). In 1930 Larrain intrudes at the "Broadcasting Caracas" (company that with the years would be called Radio Caracas), next to the distinguished manager William Henry Phelps, and personalities like, Cecilia Martínez, "Margot Antillano, Conchita Ascanio", Edgar J. Anzola, "Francisco Fossa" and "Ricardo Espina". For this date directs the musical groupings: "The Acrobats of the Sccore, The Sons of the Night" and" The Quartet Melodic Luis Alfonso Larrain", in which participates Graciela Naranjo, "Fidel Peters, Ofelia Ramón" and "Enrique Alvarenga". In 1937 forms the "Luis Alfonzo Larrain's Great Orchestra", that worth to him the title of "Magician of the dancing Music".

Personal life and career

Larrain was pupil of Vicente Emilio Sojo and carry out arrangements for popular merengues, that worth the aristocratic status that permitted his internationalization and refinement. With the union in marriage with "Elisa Soteldo", singer of the orchestra, they had a daughter "Keyla Hermecheo", celebrated professional of the Classical Dance and who stand out in the world of the worldwide Ballet.

In the 1930s and 1940s, vocalists of national and international scenes like, "Ada Alba, Carmen Chirinos, Flor Díaz, Trino Finol, Luisín Landáez, Marco Tulio Maristani, Kiko Mendive, Manolo Monterrey, Graciela Naranjo, Juanito Renot, Rafa Robles, Elio Rubio, Leo Rodriguez, Hilda Salazar, Mario Suárez, Callos Torres, Orlando Vallejo," and "Maurice Chevalier" acted along with the Larrain's Orchestra, also intervene international artists like Carlos Gardel, "Tito Guizar, Pedro Vargas, Miguelito Valdez, Teo Camargo, Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante," and Nat King Cole. Like composer Luis Alfonzo Larrain had an extensive and inspired production, being the case that the majority of his compositions has his music and lyrics. Next to his musical activity, worked writing in different publications and newspapers about Art, History, Musical Topics and Humor.

In 1939 stand out in cinematography, developing the musical production for the movie "Carambola" with argument of "Fini Veracoechea", written by "Rafael Brunicardi" and script of "Sara Cabrera", also Founds the "Larrain Studios" for the recording and production of music albums. This company was administered by "Eduvigis Bravo" (wife), and culminates their activities in 1987. On May 24, 1955 Luis Alfonzo Larrain founds "SACVEN", "Society of Authors and Composers from Venezuela", important institution, for its social projection, in benefit of the economical security of all the Venezuelan colleagues, also edited the project of the law of authors and composers, that was approved at the Venezuelan National Congress.

Luis Alfonzo Larrain died on July 4, 1996, in Caracas.

Some of his works: "“Quisiera”, “Vente pa’ca”, “Amandanos”, “Dulce y Picante”, “El Morrocoy”, “El pon pon”, “Se que me Quieres”, “Rosendo”, “Oye mi Cancion”, “La Pelota”."

See also

* Venezuela
* Venezuelan music