Héctor María Artola

Héctor María Artola was born on 30 April 1903 ^[3]. According to the available sources, his career began in 1925, when he debuted in Carlos Warren's orchestra at the Capitol cinema in Montevideo ^[1].

In the late 1920s and early 1930s Artola worked in Europe ^[2]. He arrived in France on 24 December 1927 to join the Bianco-Bachicha orchestra in Paris ^[2]. In 1930 he joined Bachicha's orchestra at the Montparnasse cabaret in Paris ^[2], and in 1931 he joined Los Ases Argentinos del Tango in Hamburg ^[2]. He played in Paris again in 1938, with Rafael Canaro's orchestra ^[1].

Between these European periods, Artola was contracted in 1934 to accompany the singer Libertad Lamarque, an engagement that lasted until 1937 ^[2]. He joined Osvaldo Fresedo's orchestra in March 1941 and stayed until early 1942 ^[2]. In 1949 he became orchestra director at Radio El Mundo and Radio Belgrano, and he recorded for the Odeon label with Oscar Alonso ^[2].

Artola retired in 1967 ^[2]. On 8 November 1968 he premiered *Como el incienso*, a tango-style piece written for church, at San Juan Bosco ^[2]. He died in Buenos Aires on 18 July 1982 and was buried in San José ^[1].

Early career in Montevideo

The earliest professional activity recorded for Artola is his 1925 debut in the orchestra of Carlos Warren ^[1]. The performance took place at the Capitol cinema in Montevideo ^[1]. The sources do not say which instrument he played in this orchestra or how long he remained with it ^[1].

Europe: Paris and Hamburg

Artola travelled to Europe at the end of 1927 and arrived in France on 24 December 1927 ^[2]. He came to join the Bianco-Bachicha orchestra, which was then working in Paris ^[2].

He remained active in Paris into the next decade ^[2]. In 1930 he joined Bachicha's orchestra at the Montparnasse cabaret in the city ^[2]. In 1931 he moved to Germany, where he joined Los Ases Argentinos del Tango in Hamburg ^[2].

Artola returned to Paris later in the decade ^[1]. In 1938 he played there with Rafael Canaro's orchestra ^[1].

Work with Libertad Lamarque and Osvaldo Fresedo

In 1934 Artola was contracted to accompany Libertad Lamarque ^[2]. This engagement continued until 1937 ^[2].

In March 1941 Artola joined the orchestra of Osvaldo Fresedo ^[2]. He stayed with Fresedo until early 1942 ^[2].

Radio direction and recordings

In 1949 Artola became orchestra director at two Buenos Aires broadcasters, Radio El Mundo and Radio Belgrano ^[2]. In the same period he recorded for the Odeon label with the singer Oscar Alonso ^[2]. The available sources do not list the titles or dates of these recordings ^[2].

Later life

Artola retired in 1967 ^[2]. On 8 November 1968, after his retirement, he premiered *Como el incienso*, a tango-style piece for church, at San Juan Bosco ^[2].

He died in Buenos Aires on 18 July 1982 ^[1]. He was buried in San José ^[1].