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Francisco García Jiménez

Francisco García Jiménez (1899–1983) was an Argentine poet, lyricist, playwright, journalist and tango historian whose refined, literary style produced early classics such as Zorro gris, Alma en pena and Suerte loca. A contemporary of the first generation of tango canción writers, he also authored books on Gardel and the history of the genre.[1][2]

Francisco García Jiménez was born on 22 September 1899 in Buenos Aires.[1][3] He began publishing poetry in magazines in the 1910s and wrote his first theatrical piece, La décima musa (with José de la Vega), in 1918.[1] In 1920, while the tango canción was still emerging, he wrote Zorro gris (music Rafael Tuegols), a refined portrait of a cabaret woman and her gray fur coat that already displayed the precise, cultivated language that would mark his later work; Carlos Gardel recorded it and many subsequent pieces.[1][4]

He continued with works such as Suerte loca (1925), an elaborate skeptical manifesto built on card-game metaphors, and Alma en pena (1928, with Anselmo Aieta).[1] Other titles include Bajo Belgrano, Barrio pobre, Farolito de papel and La última cita. He collaborated with Aieta, Bardi, Discépolo and others, and more than 140 lyrics are registered with SADAIC.[2][3]

García Jiménez also worked as a journalist, playwright and film screenwriter (including Se llamaba Carlos Gardel and Mi noche triste) and published historical and biographical books such as Vida de Carlos Gardel, Así nacieron los tangos and El Tango.[1][2] He used the pseudonym Joe Francis on occasion. He died on 5 March 1983 in Buenos Aires.[1][3] His early, literary approach helped raise the poetic level of tango lyrics in the formative years of the genre.

Early career and breakthrough

Born 22 September 1899; Zorro gris (1920) with Tuegols brought him to Gardel’s attention.[1]

Literary style and later output

Suerte loca, Alma en pena and dozens more; also historical books and film work.[1][2]

References

  1. 1.Biografía de Francisco García Jiménez por Julio Nudler · todotango.com“En 1920, cuando el tango canción daba todavía sus primeros pasos, asombró con “Zorro gris””
  2. 2.Biography of Francisco García Jiménez by Julio Nudler · todotango.com“in 1925 he revolutionized all was known with “Suerte loca””
  3. 3.Francisco García Jiménez · es.wikipedia.org“Francisco García Jiménez (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 22 de septiembre de 1899 – misma ciudad 5 de marzo de 1983)”
  4. 4.Biography of Francisco García Jiménez by Orlando del Greco · todotango.com“desde su debut en 1921 con “Zorro gris””
Data: recordings, facts and sources

Born on1

Born on Born in Buenos Aires.1899-09-22Single source

Described as7

Described as His first play, La décima musa, written with José de la Vega, opens at the Teatro Variedades.1918Single source

Described as Writes Zorro gris with Rafael Tuegols;1921Single source

Described as Writes Suerte loca and La mentirosa with Anselmo Aieta.1924Single source

Described as Writes Siga el corso with Aieta and Barrio pobre with Vicente Belvedere.1926Single source

Described as Aieta and García Jiménez present Alma en pena.1928Single source

Described as Co-writes the scripts of Se llamaba Carlos Gardel and La historia del tango.1949Single source

Described as Dies in Buenos Aires.1983-03-05Single source

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