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Singer

Oscar Serpa

Oscar Serpa was a tango singer who began in a duo with Alfredo Pelaia and later sang with the orchestras of Osvaldo Fresedo and Carlos Di Sarli [1][2][5]. His recordings appeared on the RCA Victor and Music Hall labels between the 1930s and the mid-1950s, and he died in Mar del Plata in 1982 [1].

Oscar Serpa was a singer whose birth date is given as 7 June 1919 [6]. He made his Buenos Aires debut in 1936 as the duo partner of Alfredo Pelaia [1]. The duo made its first RCA-Victor disc in 1937 and was hired by Radio Belgrano in 1939 [1].

In 1940, after Pelaia fell ill, Serpa sang tango as a soloist on Radio Argentina [1]. In 1942 he joined the orchestra of Osvaldo Fresedo, replacing Ricardo Ruiz [1]. Other sources associate him with Fresedo's orchestra in late 1942 and in 1946 [2][3][4].

Serpa recorded La novia del mar with Carlos Di Sarli in 1948, just before Di Sarli disbanded his orchestra [1][5]. In 1949 he sang with Horacio Salgán's orchestra alongside Ángel Díaz, but that engagement produced no recordings [1]. He returned to Di Sarli in 1951 and recorded with him on the Music Hall label from 1952 [1]. His last recording with Di Sarli, Verdemar, is dated 16 September 1955 [1].

In February 1956 Los Señores del Tango debuted on Radio Belgrano, followed by seasons at the confitería Richmond on Suipacha and at the Dominó [1]. Serpa died in Mar del Plata on 8 November 1982 after being hit by a car [1].

Early career and the duo with Alfredo Pelaia

Serpa's career in Buenos Aires began in 1936, when he debuted as the duo partner of Alfredo Pelaia [1]. In 1937 the duo made its first disc for RCA-Victor [1]. That disc paired Claveles mendocinos, performed with Pelaia, with Niebla del Riachuelo, which Serpa sang solo [1].

In 1939 Radio Belgrano hired the Pelaia-Serpa duo [1]. The partnership was interrupted when Pelaia fell ill [1]. In 1940 Serpa continued alone and sang tango as a soloist on Radio Argentina [1].

With Osvaldo Fresedo

In 1942 Serpa joined Osvaldo Fresedo's orchestra, where he replaced the singer Ricardo Ruiz [1]. With Fresedo he took part in the program Ronda de ases on Radio El Mundo, which was broadcast from the Teatro Casino [1].

A calendar of tango events for 1942 links Serpa to Fresedo's orchestra on 27 November 1942 [2]. A history of the Fresedo orchestra also lists Serpa as one of its singers, with a 1946 date [3]. A listing for the tango Fuimos associates Serpa with Fresedo's orchestra on 26 July 1946 [4].

A recording catalogue lists RCA Victor recordings sung by Serpa from 12 November 1942 to 26 November 1946 . The catalogue entries do not name the orchestra, but their dates fall within the years in which other sources place him with Fresedo [2][3][4].

With Carlos Di Sarli and Horacio Salgán

In 1948 Serpa recorded La novia del mar with Carlos Di Sarli, just before Di Sarli disbanded his orchestra [1]. A disc listing for La novia del mar links Serpa to Di Sarli's orchestra with the date 22 June 1948 [5].

In 1949 Serpa sang with Horacio Salgán's orchestra, sharing the vocal duties with Ángel Díaz [1]. He made no recordings with Salgán [1].

In 1951 Serpa returned to Di Sarli, this time sharing the vocals with Mario Pomar [1]. In 1952 Di Sarli resumed recording, now on the Music Hall label [1]. Serpa's recordings with Di Sarli in this period included Cuatro vidas, Un momento and Sueño de juventud [1]. His last recording with Di Sarli was Verdemar, on 16 September 1955 [1].

Los Señores del Tango and later life

On 3 February 1956 Los Señores del Tango debuted on Radio Belgrano [1]. They then played seasons at the confitería Richmond on Suipacha and at the Dominó [1].

Serpa died in Mar del Plata on 8 November 1982 after being hit by a car [1].

Recordings

A recording catalogue lists 21 recordings sung by Serpa: 13 on RCA Victor and 8 on Music Hall . The entries give label and date but no title or orchestra .

RCA Victor recordings in the catalogue, by date :

  • 12 November 1942
  • 27 November 1942 (two recordings)
  • 1 December 1943
  • 30 June 1944
  • 9 November 1944 (two recordings)
  • 6 November 1945
  • 6 August 1946
  • 26 November 1946
  • 31 August 1954
  • 28 September 1954
  • 20 June 1955

Music Hall recordings in the catalogue, by date :

  • 8 April 1952
  • 21 April 1953 (two recordings)
  • 30 October 1953
  • 18 December 1953 (two recordings)
  • 4 January 1954
  • 21 April 1954

The biography names several titles from Serpa's recording career: Claveles mendocinos and Niebla del Riachuelo (1937, with Pelaia), La novia del mar (1948, with Di Sarli), Cuatro vidas, Un momento and Sueño de juventud (from 1952, with Di Sarli on Music Hall), and Verdemar (1955, with Di Sarli) [1][5]. The catalogue also lists RCA Victor entries dated 1954 and 1955, a period in which the biography places his Di Sarli recordings on Music Hall; the sources do not explain these entries [1].

References

How Tangopedia works

  1. 1.Oscar Serpa - Semblanza por Abel Palermo · todotango.com
  2. 2.Calendar - Argentine Tango - tango.info · tango.info
  3. 3.Orquesta Típica Osvaldo Fresedo · todotango.com
  4. 4.FUIMOS · tango.info
  5. 5.La novia del mar || Los 33 orientales - tango.info · tango.info
  6. 6.Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app
Data: recordings, facts and sources

As a musician

  • guitar

Recordings by year

Source: TangoCloud catalogue

19421962

1942: 16, 1943: 13, 1944: 12, 1945: 10, 1946: 7, 1948: 1, 1950: 3, 1952: 4, 1953: 10, 1954: 12, 1955: 5, 1962: 3

Orchestras over the years

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

19421962
  1. Carlos Di Sarli1948–1955 · 32
  2. Osvaldo Fresedo1942–1946 · 58
  3. Los Señores Del Tango1962 · 3
  4. Ricardo Pedevilla1950 · 3

With Carlos Di Sarli

32 recordings · 1948–1955 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. Tus palabras y la nocheCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  2. Sin tiCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  3. CaminitoCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  4. Con alma y vidaCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  5. Un desolado corazónCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  6. Noche de locuraCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1955
  7. Cuatro vidasCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1952
  8. Clavel del aireCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  9. La novia del marCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  10. La canción más tristeCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  11. Sueño de juventudCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  12. FulgorCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953

With Osvaldo Fresedo

58 recordings · 1942–1946 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. Te llama mi violínOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1942
  2. Siempre siempreOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1944
  3. UnoOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1943
  4. AmorOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1943
  5. La lluvia y yoOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1946
  6. Por quéOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1943
  7. CristalOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1944
  8. Mi nataiOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1945
  9. Noches largasOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1945
  10. Gitana rusaOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1942
  11. Ronda de asesOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1942
  12. En cada puerto un adiósOsvaldo Fresedo · Oscar Serpa1944

With Los Señores Del Tango

3 recordings · 1962–1962 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. Locura locuraLos Señores Del Tango · Oscar Serpa1962
  2. Milonga y lágrimaLos Señores Del Tango · Oscar Serpa1962
  3. VentanalLos Señores Del Tango · Oscar Serpa1962

With Ricardo Pedevilla

3 recordings · 1950–1950 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. PrecioRicardo Pedevilla · Oscar Serpa1950
  2. Ventanita de arrabalRicardo Pedevilla · Oscar Serpa1950
  3. Y mientes todavíaRicardo Pedevilla · Oscar Serpa1950

Singers88

Sin palabras · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1946 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 26, 1946Supported · 2

Maleza · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 6, 1945Supported · 2

Sin ti · Carlos Di Sarli · 1954 — sung by Oscar SerpaSep 28, 1954Supported · 2

Un momento · Carlos Di Sarli · 1952 — sung by Oscar SerpaApr 8, 1952Supported · 2

Gitana rusa · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 27, 1942Supported · 2

Te llama mi violín · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 27, 1942Supported · 2

Siempre siempre · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 9, 1944Supported · 2

Caminito · Carlos Di Sarli · 1953 — sung by Oscar SerpaOct 30, 1953Supported · 2

Un desolado corazón · Carlos Di Sarli · 1954 — sung by Oscar SerpaAug 31, 1954Supported · 2

Uno · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaDec 1, 1943Supported · 2

La novia del mar · Carlos Di Sarli · 1953 — sung by Oscar SerpaDec 18, 1953Single source

La canción más triste · Carlos Di Sarli · 1954 — sung by Oscar SerpaJan 4, 1954Supported · 2

La lluvia y yo · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1946 — sung by Oscar SerpaAug 6, 1946Supported · 2

Cristal · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaJun 30, 1944Supported · 2

Fulgor · Carlos Di Sarli · 1953 — sung by Oscar SerpaDec 18, 1953Supported · 2

Ronda de ases · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 12, 1942Supported · 2

En cada puerto un adiós · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaNov 9, 1944Supported · 2

De vuelta · Carlos Di Sarli · 1953 — sung by Oscar SerpaApr 21, 1953Supported · 2

Viento verde · Carlos Di Sarli · 1953 — sung by Oscar SerpaApr 21, 1953Supported · 2

Buenos Aires yo te canto · Carlos Di Sarli · 1954 — sung by Oscar SerpaApr 21, 1954Supported · 2

Mi madre tierra · Carlos Di Sarli · 1955 — sung by Oscar SerpaJun 20, 1955Supported · 2

Cuatro vidas · Carlos Di Sarli · 1952 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Por el camino · Carlos Di Sarli · 1952 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Sueño de juventud · Carlos Di Sarli · 1952 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Mi noche triste · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Si de mí te has olvidado · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Manon · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Muchacha · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Sin rabia y sin pena · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Tortazos · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Tango gris · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Adiós adiós corazón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Bandoneón amigo · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Mi desventura · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Amor · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Por qué · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

El día de tu ausencia · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Este viejo corazón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Fui testigo · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Partir lejos · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Aromas · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Jamás retornarás · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Al cerrar los ojos · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Nuestra casita · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Cosas viejas · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Mañana iré temprano · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Llegarás amor · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

El tropero del amor · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

En un rincón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Si yo pudiera comprender · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Corazón no le digas a nadie · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Fantasma · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Mi piano · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Vida mía · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

No me falles corazón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

No te olvides de mi corazón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Más allá · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Mi natai · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Sol · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Noches largas · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar SerpaSingle source

Notes16

Debuts in Buenos Aires as Alfredo Pelaia's duo partner.1936Single source

First RCA-Victor disc with Pelaia: Claveles mendocinos and, sung solo, Niebla del Riachuelo.1937Single source

The Pelaia-Serpa duo is hired by Radio Belgrano.1939Single source

After Pelaia falls ill, sings tango as a soloist on Radio Argentina.1940Single source

Joins Osvaldo Fresedo, replacing Ricardo Ruiz; Ronda de ases on Radio El Mundo, broadcast from the Teatro Casino.1942Single source

Records La novia del mar with Carlos Di Sarli, just before Di Sarli disbands.1948Single source

Sings with Horacio Salgán's orchestra alongside Ángel Díaz; no recordings.1949Single source

Returns to Di Sarli, sharing the vocals with Mario Pomar.1951Single source

Di Sarli resumes recording on Music Hall; Serpa sings Cuatro vidas, Un momento and Sueño de juventud.1952Single source

Last Di Sarli recording, Verdemar.Sep 16, 1955Single source

Los Señores del Tango debut on Radio Belgrano; seasons at the confitería Richmond on Suipacha and the Dominó.Feb 3, 1956Single source

Dies in Mar del Plata after being hit by a car.Nov 8, 1982Single source

Oscar Serpa — described as Oscar Serpa (Cantor y guitarrista)Supported · 2

Niebla del Riachuelo, backed only by guitars, was Serpa's first recording and his only one before joining Fresedo in 1942; his intimate style recalls Agustín Magaldi, since the orchestra-singer ("cantor de orquesta") style hadn't developed yet in 1937.Single source

Serpa came from Cuyo (Mendoza province), not Buenos Aires; Fresedo deliberately avoided porteño voices because he wanted a more European sound for the orchestra.Single source

Gran técnica, musicalidad y un fraseo muy suave y expresivoSingle source

Sang with5

Sang with Osvaldo Fresedo1942–1947Supported · 3

Sang with Carlos Di Sarli1948–1955Supported · 3

Sang with Los Señores Del Tango1956Single source

Ricardo Pedevilla — sang with Oscar SerpaSingle source

Sang with Horacio Salgan1949–1950Single source

Born2

Born on June 7, 1919Supported · 2

Oscar Serpa — born on Oscar Serpa (June 7, 1919)Supported · 2

Left1

Left Carlos Di Sarli1956Single source

Joined1

Joined Los Señores Del Tango1956Single source

In other catalogues4

Oscar Serpa — external id Oscar Serpa (todotango:creador/1658)Supported · 2

tango.info · OscarSerpaSingle source

Wikidata · Q41958918source

MusicBrainz · 67ba4a8f-e0d8-41cd-b165-d9e84b6a2ceasource

Died2

Oscar Serpa — died on Oscar Serpa (November 8, 1982)Supported · 2

Died on November 8, 1982Single source

Birthplace1

Oscar Serpa — born in Oscar Serpa (Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza) Argentina)Supported · 2

Place of death1

Died in Mar del PlataNov 8, 1982Single source

Known for1

Is known for Ronda de ases · Osvaldo Fresedo · 19421942Single source

Listen

  1. Tus palabras y la nocheCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  2. Sin tiCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  3. CaminitoCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  4. Con alma y vidaCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  5. Un desolado corazónCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  6. Noche de locuraCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa · no clip yet1955
  7. Cuatro vidasCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1952
  8. Clavel del aireCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  9. La novia del marCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953
  10. La canción más tristeCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  11. Sueño de juventudCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1954
  12. FulgorCarlos Di Sarli · Oscar Serpa1953

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