Romeo Gavioli


Romeo Alfredo Gavioli was a Uruguayan musician, tango and candombe singer, and conductor of a típica orchestra.

Life

Gavioli was born in the La Unión neighborhood of Montevideo, although he spent his childhood and adolescence in the La Comercial neighborhood of the same city.
He studied violin with maestro Américo Pioli. In 1926, he formed the group Los Tres Bemoles, where he played the violin alongside Mario Orrico and Guillermo Aguirre on stages in Minas and Montevideo.
In 1929, he began playing in Juan Baüer's orquesta típica "Firpito", and in 1931 he joined Héctor Gentile's orchestra, debuting at the Tupi-Nambá, where they met Roberto Fontaina, who connected them with Radio Carve.
In 1933, together with Lalo Etchegoncelay and double bassist Panchito Pons, he performed in the live radio studios of several Buenos Aires stations. Although he never stopped playing the violin, he increasingly appeared as the group's singer.
In 1934, he joined the renowned trio Los Carve, which crossed over to Buenos Aires in 1935 and became known as Los Dandys.
In 1939, he was invited by maestro Edgardo Donato to join his orchestra as a singer. He worked with Donato for several years under the name "Romeo Gavio."
In 1943, Gavioli returned to Montevideo, where he began his most mature phase as a conductor, composer, and singer.
Affiliated with the Communist Party, he was one of the main participants in the formation of SUDEI and, at the same time, brought his music to the unions involved in conflicts.
In 1954, he founded "Casachica" together with Lalo Etchegoncelay and Luis Amengual, where artists such as Cedar Viglietti recorded.
On April 17, 1957, he committed suicide by driving his car into the waters of the port of Montevideo.

His own orchestra

The initial lineup of his orchestra included:
  • Romeo Gavioli as singer and conductor of the orchestra
  • José Kaplám on piano
  • Rubén Tovía on double bass
  • David Dullman, Antonio Licans, and Romeo Gavioli himself on violins
  • Rolando Gavioli and ¨Bianco Brothers¨ : José Matteo, Juan Capobianco and Antonio Mateo on bandoneons
  • Rolando Gavioli was the arranger of the pieces
  • Juan Angel Silva, Wellington Silva and Raul Silva in Candombe Drums and in another period they were the Bonasorte Brothers, Enrique Bonasorte, Nelson Bonasorte and Tucuta Soto
Very soon, Gavioli incorporated drums into the orchestra and added candombe canción to the repertoire of tangos, waltzes, and milongas. In 1947, together with Carmelo Imperio as a partner, he premiered the play El nombre más lindo del mundo, written by Wimpi, at the 18 de Julio Theater.

As a composer

Romeo Gavioli was the author of several tangos, among which are:María del CarmenPelota de trapoMi MontevideoPayaso triste
And the candombes:Tinta negraLuna carnavaleraAbuelito blancoFiesta del tamborEstampa del 900
  • ''Baile de los morenos''

Discography

LPs

El baile de los morenos Candombes El creador de melodías Vals de los 15 años Jardín de Francia Borocoto chas chas
  • ''Lo mejor de Romeo Gavioli''

Singles

Compañero bandoneón / Payaso triste Melodía gitana / Baile de los morenos El tren de las once / La fogata de San Pedro / El escobero / Montevideo dolorido Pastora / Candombe de Navidad / Abuelito Blanco / Bulevar de Paris Luna carnavalera / Tinta negra Piel morena / 15 años
  • ''El cochero / Estampas del 800''