Julio Jaramillo

Julio Alfredo Jaramillo Laurido, aka J.J., (born October 1, 1935, died February 9, 1978) is considered to have been the greatest "Pasillo" performer of Ecuadorian music history. He was well known throughout Latin America as well as in Spain, performing and recording boleros, valses, pasillos, tangos and rancheras. He recorded his most famous song "Nuestro juramento" in 1956, and some years later the song's composer, Puerto Rican author Benito de Jesús, thanked him for the fame of the song. He recorded with Daniel Santos, Olimpo Cárdenas, and Alci Acosta, among others. To this day he is considered one of the best singer-songwriters Latin America has ever produced.

Biography

Julio Jaramillo was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as the son of Juan Jaramillo and Apolonia Laurido. Because of his humble origins, he had to work from young age in a shoemaker's shop. He grew up listening to artists such as Olimpo Cárdenas, Carlos Rubira Infante, and the Guayaquil and Villafuerte duets, which had influence in his calling towards singing.

Years later, after taking part on several amateur contests without success, he gained some fame after the recording of his first album, "Pobre mi madre querida" (1955), in duet with Fresia Saavedra. He then recorded the pasillo "Esposa" with his mentor Carlos Rubira Infante, and the next year the vals "Fatalidad" which was played in virtually every radio station in Ecuador, and in some foreign stations as well. But he only achieved international recognition with his hit "Nuestro juramento", that lead him to numerous tours within Latin America.

He finally returned to Guayaquil in 1977, but in an ill condition that impeded him from performing until his death a year later. His tomb is located at Charazani. [cite web |url=http://www.bolivianmountains.com/trekking/apolobamba.html |title=Apolobamba |publisher=bolivianmountains.com]

He was honored by many of his listeners after he died.

Legacy

During his lifetime, his songs were deeply valued by his public, to such extent that after his death nearly 200 000 people gathered to render him homage. His songs remain classic favourites played all over Latin America. He is also regarded by some as a symbol of Ecuadorian national identity. He represented Ecuadorians everywhere and his name remains in many Ecuadorian minds as one of the best composers of all time.

Famous Songs

- Nuestro juramento- Ódiame- Reminiscencias- Un disco más- Aunque me duele el alma- Para qué se quiere?- Amor se escribe con llanto - Soñar y nada más- Cenizas

ee also

* Los Chalchaleros
* Carlos Gardel
* Daniel Santos
* Pasillo
* Bolero

References

* "Enciclopedia del Ecuador"

External links

* [http://www.mp3.com/julio-jaramillo/artists/26269/biography.html Biography at mp3.com]
* [http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Julio%20Jaramillo:1927026362:page=discography:subpage=albums;_ylt=AkdBwacHpLuf8wxUV7iuJ91UvQcF;_ylu=X3oDMTBudjZmdTkzBF9zAzg0MzkzMzAwBHNlYwNhcnR0b29s Julio Jaramillo discography]
* [http://www.ecuaworld.com.ec/ecuamusica/index.htm Julio Jaramillo, life, mp3s]