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Orchestra

José García

José García was a bandleader whose orquesta típica, formed around 1930 and playing at the Teatro San Martín, became known as the Zorros Grises after the grey suits its musicians wore [1]. Between 1942 and 1945 the orchestra recorded 40 sides for Odeon, with Alfredo Rojas as its best-known singer [1][5].

1942: 12 · danced 98 times1943: 10 · danced 63 times1944: 10 · danced 26 times1945: 2 · danced 8 times
19421945
records madedanced on film, by the record’s year· our catalogue

1942: 12, 98; 1943: 10, 63; 1944: 10, 26; 1945: 2, 8

José García was born on 22 July 1908 [4]. In 1926 he formed a youth orchestra from the pupils of his own conservatory in Lanús [1]. By 1930 he led a new orquesta típica that played at the Teatro San Martín. The grey suits worn by its members gave the band the name that became the Zorros Grises [1].

Through the 1930s García settled the orchestra's personnel, and singers and pianists came and went [1]. Recording for the Odeon label began on 23 January 1942 with Horacio Pettorossi's "Fea", sung by Alfredo Rojas, who became the band's best-known voice [1]. One source places the orchestra's most popular line-up in 1943, the year it recorded "Nocturno de tango" for Odeon [2]. The last Odeon session took place on 16 April 1945, closing a catalogue of 40 sides [1].

In 1950 García disbanded the orchestra and moved to Córdoba, where he ran a hotel and painted [3]. He died in Buenos Aires in 2000 [3].

History

Beginnings in Lanús (1926)

The earliest activity recorded in the sources is from 1926. That year García formed a youth orchestra made up of pupils from his own conservatory in Lanús [1].

The Zorros Grises (1930–1941)

In 1930 García's new orquesta típica played at the Teatro San Martín [1]. The grey suits worn by the band gave it the name that became the Zorros Grises [1].

In 1936 García settled the Zorros Grises line-up. It included pianist Juan Carlos Barbará and singers Augusto Gauthier and Nilda Wilson [1]. In 1938 Barbará left to form his own orchestra, and Rodolfo Lozano took over at the piano [1]. By 1941 Carlos Alberti was the orchestra's singer [1].

The Odeon years (1942–1945)

The orchestra made its first Odeon recording on 23 January 1942. The side was Horacio Pettorossi's "Fea", sung by Alfredo Rojas [1]. On 19 February 1943 the orchestra recorded "Nocturno de tango" for Odeon, and one source describes 1943 as the year of the band's most popular line-up [2]. The last Odeon session was held on 16 April 1945, and it closed a catalogue of 40 sides [1].

Later life (1950–2000)

In 1950 García disbanded the orchestra and moved to Córdoba. There he ran a hotel and painted [3]. He died in Buenos Aires in 2000 [3].

Singers and musicians

The sources name the following singers and musicians with the orchestra [1][5]:

  • Juan Carlos Barbará, pianist in the settled line-up of 1936, who left in 1938 to form his own orchestra [1].
  • Rodolfo Lozano, who took over the piano in 1938 [1].
  • Augusto Gauthier and Nilda Wilson, singers in the 1936 line-up [1].
  • Carlos Alberti, the orchestra's singer in 1941 [1].
  • Alfredo Rojas, who sang on the first Odeon recording in January 1942 and became the band's best-known voice [1]. A calendar listing also records Rojas singing with the orchestra on 27 July 1942 [5].

Recordings

All of the orchestra's documented recordings were made for Odeon between 1942 and 1945. The label's catalogue for the orchestra totalled 40 sides [1].

The dossier records these sides and sessions [1][2][5]:

  • 23 January 1942: "Fea" (Horacio Pettorossi), with vocal by Alfredo Rojas. This was the first Odeon recording [1].
  • 27 July 1942: a date on which Alfredo Rojas is listed as singing with the orchestra [5].
  • 19 February 1943: "Nocturno de tango" [2].
  • 16 April 1945: the last Odeon session [1].

Related

Alfredo Rojas was the singer most associated with the orchestra during its recording years [1][5].

References

How Tangopedia works

  1. 1.José García · todotango.com
  2. 2.José García · tangosalbardo.blogspot.com
  3. 3.José Francisco García · es.wikipedia.org
  4. 4.Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app
  5. 5.Calendar - Argentine Tango - tango.info · tango.info
Explore José Garcia's recordings by yearCompare with…Who played with José Garcia, year by year

Most danced

From TangoTube dances

  1. Junto a tu corazónJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  2. Esta noche de lunaJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1943
  3. Tristeza marinaJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1943
  4. Farolito de papelJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1944
  5. Lloran las campanasJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1944
  6. Adiós adiós corazónJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  7. ZorzalJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  8. Que no sepan las estrellasJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1945
  9. Calla bandoneónJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1944
  10. No pudo serJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  11. Solo compasionJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  12. Si alguna vezJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1943
Data: recordings, facts and sources

Also: its leader, José García

Singers over the years

First to last recording together · source: TangoCloud catalogue · tap a bar for the takes · Every singer and orchestra

19421945
  1. Alfredo Rojas1942–1945 · 30
  2. Nilda Wilson1942 · 1

Singers

Notes10

Forms a youth orchestra from the pupils of his own conservatory in Lanús.1926

Single source

His new orquesta típica plays at the Teatro San Martín; grey suits give the band the name that becomes the Zorros Grises.1930

Single source

Settles the Zorros Grises line-up with pianist Juan Carlos Barbará and singers Augusto Gauthier and Nilda Wilson.1936

Single source

Barbará leaves to form his own orchestra and Rodolfo Lozano takes the piano.1938

Single source

Carlos Alberti is the orchestra's singer.1941

Single source

First Odeon recording, Horacio Pettorossi's "Fea", sung by Alfredo Rojas, who becomes the band's best-known voice.Jan 23, 1942

Single source

Records "Nocturno de tango" for Odeon, in the year of the band's most popular line-up.Feb 19, 1943

Single source

Last Odeon session, closing a catalogue of 40 sides.Apr 16, 1945

Single source

Disbands the orchestra and moves to Córdoba, where he runs a hotel and paints.1950

Single source

Dies in Buenos Aires.2000

Single source

Sang with2

Alfredo Rojas — sang with José GarciaJan 23, 1942–Apr 16, 1945, Jul 27, 1942, Apr 7, 1944

Single source

Mario Alonso — sang with José Garcia1947

Single source

In other catalogues1

tango.info · JosefGarci

Single source

Listen

  1. FeaJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas · no clip yet1942
  2. RetiraoJosé Garcia1942
  3. LagarteranaJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas, Nilda Wilson1942
  4. El distinguido ciudadanoJosé Garcia1942
  5. Solo compasionJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  6. Prestame tu pañueloJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  7. Junto a tu corazónJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  8. No pudo serJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  9. ZorzalJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  10. A lo mejor quién te diceJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  11. FelicitaJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942
  12. Adiós adiós corazónJosé Garcia · Alfredo Rojas1942

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