Armando Pontier
Armando Francisco Punturero, better known as Armando Pontier, was an Argentine tango musician who stood out as an orchestra conductor, composer, and bandoneonist. He was highly representative of the period known as the Golden Age of tango.
Life
From a very young age, he joined various orchestras, until September 1, 1945, when the orchestra he co-led with Enrique Mario Francini made its debut at the opening of the Tango Bar, located at 1200 Corrientes. This co-leadership lasted ten years. On the same day, but in 1955, Armando Pontier debuted—this time on his own—at the head of his own orchestra.Over time, Pontier had other prominent singers such as Roberto Rufino and Raúl Berón. The orchestra was based for a decade at Radio Belgrano, and its carnival performances at the Centro Asturiano were famous.
In 1963, he joined the reformation of the Orquesta de las Estrellas, directed by Miguel Caló, along with Enrique Francini, Domingo Federico, Alberto Podestá, Raúl Berón, and Orlando Trípodi.
In 1966, he reorganized his orchestra with the singers Alberto Podestá and Héctor Darío. He later formed a sextet that performed on Radio Municipal and at the Marabú cabaret. In 1973, he once again reorganized his orchestra with Francini and the singer Alba Solís.
Suicide
At midday on December 25, 1983, just a few hours after celebrating Christmas Eve with his family at his apartment on 1500 Cabildo Avenue, Armando Pontier decided to end his life with a gunshot due to health problems.Works
Pontier was a distinguished composer with many successful tangos such as:MargoPecado Milongueando en el 40River PlateA los amigosCorazón no le hagas casoTrenzasTabacoClaveles blancosAnocheA ZárateA tus pies bailarínBien criolla y bien porteñaA José Manuel Moreno- ''Pichuco''