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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].

1942: 16 · danced 35 times1943: 13 · danced 13 times1944: 12 · danced 27 times1945: 10 · danced 6 times1946: 7 · danced 4 times1948: 1 · danced 0 times1950: 3 · danced 0 times1952: 4 · danced 7 times1953: 10 · danced 34 times1954: 12 · danced 268 times1955: 5 · danced 10 times1962: 3 · danced 0 times
1942’50’601962
records madedanced on film, by the record’s year· our catalogue

1942: 16, 35; 1943: 13, 13; 1944: 12, 27; 1945: 10, 6; 1946: 7, 4; 1948: 1, 0; 1950: 3, 0; 1952: 4, 7; 1953: 10, 34; 1954: 12, 268; 1955: 5, 10; 1962: 3, 0

  1. The 32 records with Carlos Di Sarli (33% of 96) hold 78% of the dancing to them, 1948–1955.

    How we know

    319 of 404 dances. A partner is named when they hold at least a fifth of the dancing and half again their share of the records.

    See these records →

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. Oscar Serpa - Semblanza por Abel Palermo · todotango.com
  2. Calendar - Argentine Tango - tango.info · tango.info
  3. Orquesta Típica Osvaldo Fresedo · todotango.com
  4. FUIMOS · tango.info
  5. La novia del mar || Los 33 orientales - tango.info · tango.info
  6. Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app
Explore Oscar Serpa's recordings by yearAll recordings of Oscar SerpaCompare with…All singersTheir orchestras, year by year
Who played with Oscar Serpa, year by year

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Data: recordings, facts and sources

As a musician

  • guitar

Orchestras over the years

First to last recording together · source: TangoCloud catalogue · tap a bar for the takes · Dances are filmed Performances matched to a recording, so a count can run low · Every singer and orchestra

19421962
  1. Carlos Di Sarli1948–1955 · 32319 Dances filmed
  2. Osvaldo Fresedo1942–1946 · 5885 Dances filmed
  3. Ricardo Pedevilla1950 · 3None matched yet
  4. Los Señores del Tango1962 · 3None matched yet

With Carlos Di Sarli

32 recordings · 1948–1955 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. Tus palabras y la nocheCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  2. Sin tiCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  3. CaminitoCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoMusic Hall
  4. Con alma y vidaCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpamilongaMusic Hall
  5. Un desolado corazónCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  6. Noche de locuraCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  7. Cuatro vidasCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoMusic Hall
  8. Clavel del aireCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoMusic Hall
  9. La novia del marCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoMusic Hall
  10. La canción más tristeCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoMusic Hall
  11. Sueño de juventudCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpavalsRCA Victor
  12. FulgorCarlos Di SarliOscar SerpatangoMusic Hall

With Osvaldo Fresedo

58 recordings · 1942–1946 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. Te llama mi violínOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  2. Siempre siempreOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  3. UnoOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  4. Gitana rusaOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  5. AmorOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpavalsRCA Victor
  6. Noches largasOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  7. La lluvia y yoOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  8. Al cerrar los ojosOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  9. Por quéOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  10. CristalOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  11. Mi nataiOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor
  12. Ronda de asesOsvaldo FresedoOscar SerpatangoRCA Victor

With Ricardo Pedevilla

3 recordings · 1950–1950 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. PrecioRicardo PedevillaOscar SerpatangoPampa
  2. Ventanita de arrabalRicardo PedevillaOscar SerpatangoPampa
  3. Y mientes todavíaRicardo PedevillaOscar SerpatangoPampa

With Los Señores del Tango

3 recordings · 1962–1962 · source: TangoCloud catalogue

  1. Locura locuraLos Señores del TangoOscar SerpatangoColumbia
  2. Milonga y lágrimaLos Señores del TangoOscar SerpatangoColumbia
  3. VentanalLos Señores del TangoOscar SerpatangoColumbia

Singers88

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Single source

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

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

Supported · 2

Cuatro vidas · Carlos Di Sarli · 1952 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

Mi noche triste · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

Manon · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Muchacha · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

Tortazos · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Tango gris · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Adiós adiós corazón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Bandoneón amigo · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Mi desventura · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1942 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Amor · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Por qué · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

Este viejo corazón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Fui testigo · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Partir lejos · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Aromas · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Jamás retornarás · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

Nuestra casita · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Cosas viejas · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Mañana iré temprano · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1943 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Llegarás amor · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

En un rincón · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

Fantasma · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Mi piano · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Vida mía · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1944 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

Más allá · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Mi natai · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Sol · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Noches largas · Osvaldo Fresedo · 1945 — sung by Oscar Serpa

Single source

Notes16

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single source

Last Di Sarli recording, Verdemar.Sep 16, 1955

Single source

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

Single source

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

Single 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 expresivo

Single source

Sang with5

Sang with Osvaldo Fresedo1942–1947

Supported · 3

Sang with Carlos Di Sarli1948–1955

Supported · 3

Sang with Los Señores del Tango1956

Single source

Ricardo Pedevilla — sang with Oscar Serpa

Single source

Sang with Horacio Salgan1949–1950

Single source

Born2

Born on June 7, 1919

Supported · 2

Oscar Serpa — born on Oscar Serpa (June 7, 1919)

Supported · 2

Left1

Left Carlos Di Sarli1956

Single source

Joined1

Joined Los Señores del Tango1956

Single source

In other catalogues4

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

Supported · 2

tango.info · OscarSerpa

Single source

Wikidata · Q41958918source

Single source

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

Single source

Died2

Oscar Serpa — died on Oscar Serpa (November 8, 1982)

Supported · 2

Died on November 8, 1982

Single source

Birthplace1

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

Supported · 2

Place of death1

Died in Mar del PlataNov 8, 1982

Single source

Known for1

Is known for Ronda de ases · Osvaldo Fresedo · 19421942

Single source

Listen

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

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