Juan D'Arienzo

Juan D'Arienzo was born on 14 December 1900, a date given by several sources ^[1][5][7]. A Spanish-language encyclopedia entry gives his birthplace as Buenos Aires ^[6]. The same entry describes him as "violín - director de orquesta" (violin and orchestra director) ^[6].

He led an orchestra under his own name, the Orquesta Típica Juan D'Arienzo, from at least 1928 ^[2]. He was also known as "El rey del compás" ^[6]. His career has been described as spanning the years 1928 to 1975 ^[6].

Sources differ on the date of his death. One source gives 14 January 1976 ^[5]. Another records a death date of 14 December 1900, the same date as his birth ^[6]. Both versions are listed as disputed below ^[5][6].

A chronicle of the Orquesta Típica Juan D'Arienzo places D'Arienzo as both leader and player in the orchestra in the period 1928 to 1929 ^[2]. Its early line-up included Alfredo Mazzeo, Luis Cuervo and the director himself on violins, Vicente Gorrese on piano and José Puglisi on double bass ^[2].

D'Arienzo was still leading his orchestra in 1939, when a release was credited to "Juan D'Arienzo Y Su Orquesta Típica" ^[3]. A biography of the singer Héctor Mauré also places him at the head of the orchestra in 1940 ^[4]. A music-credits source likewise lists the orchestra as led by D'Arienzo .

His active career has been summarised as running from 1928 to 1975 ^[6]. One source states that he died in Buenos Aires ^[6]. Sources disagree on the date of his death: 14 January 1976 in one account ^[5], and 14 December 1900 in another ^[6].

D'Arienzo played violin in his own orchestra in its early line-up ^[2]. One encyclopedia entry lists his instruments as bandoneon, violin and piano ^[5]. Another describes his role as violin and orchestra director ^[6]. He was known by the nickname "El rey del compás" ^[6].

Alberto Echagüe is recorded as a singer who sang with D'Arienzo ^[9]. Armando Laborde is also recorded as having sung with him ^[10]. Héctor Mauré's biography connects him with D'Arienzo's orchestra in 1940 ^[4].

D'Arienzo has been described as having recorded for the RCA Víctor label ^[6]. One documented release by Juan D'Arienzo Y Su Orquesta Típica, dated to 1939, paired the titles "Derecho Viejo" and "Milonga Del Recuerdo" ^[3].