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Simón Díaz

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Díaz and the second or maternal family name is Márquez.
Simón Díaz
Simón Díaz performing at Boston, Massachusetts in 2005
Simón Díaz performing at Boston, Massachusetts in 2005
Background information
Birth nameSimón Narciso Díaz Márquez
Also known asTío Simón
Born(1928-08-08)August 8, 1928
Barbacoas, Aragua, Venezuela[1]
DiedFebruary 19, 2014(2014-02-19) (aged 85)
Caracas, Venezuela
GenresVenezuelan folk music
OccupationsMusician, singer, composer
Years active1948–2007
Websitehttp://www.simondiaz.com

Simón Narciso Díaz Márquez (August 8, 1928 – February 19, 2014), also known as tío Simón, was a Venezuelan singer, actor, TV host, comedian, and Grammy Award-winning composer of Venezuelan music.[2][3] Some of his most popular songs include Caballo viejo, Tonada de luna llena and La vaca Mariposa.

Díaz endeavored to recover the folklore and musical traditions of the Venezuelan llanos (plains). This style of music has since been performed by artists such as Argentina's Mercedes Sosa, Brazil's Caetano Veloso, Spain's Joan Manuel Serrat, Peru's Susana Baca, Puerto Rico's Danny Rivera, and Venezuelans Franco De Vita, Soledad Bravo, Juan Carlos Salazar, Carlos Baute and José Luis Rodríguez, among others.[4][5] Many of Díaz's works have been adapted by symphonies and choral ensembles throughout Venezuela,[6] as well as being incorporated into the orchestral and choral arrangements of conductors and composers of academic music.[7]

Artists from other disciplines have also utilized Díaz's work. For example, German choreographer Pina Bausch included some of Díaz's songs in her work Nur Du. Film director Pedro Almodóvar included Díaz's song "Tonada de luna llena" as part of the soundtrack for his film The Flower of My Secret, sung by the Brazilian artist Caetano Veloso.[4][5]

Early life

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He was born in Barbacoas, Guárico state (nowadays in the state of Aragua), Venezuela, to Juan Díaz and María Márquez de Díaz. He had 7 siblings, one of which is the now deceased actor and comedian Joselo Díaz. His father was a musician and played the cornet in a local band, and he encouraged him to play the Venezuelan cuatro as well as taught him some of the basics in music.[8]

After his father's death in 1940, his family relocated to San Juan de los Morros, where he finished primary school and started receiving music lessons from Ramón Ziegler. In an interview, he described that in that moment, as the eldest brother, he became the “man of the house” and helped his mother raise the rest of his siblings. When he turned 15, he started working as an assistant of the local Siboney Orchestra and soon after performed as comedian under the pseudonym «el Chato».[9][10]

Career

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Simón Díaz's driver's license (1951)

In 1949 he started working in Caracas as a collector for the Banco Venezolano de Crédito and started receiving music lessons at the Escuela Superior de Música de Caracas.[9][11] In the 1950s he gained attention as the host of El llanero, a radio show where he mixed folk music and comedy. Later on, he hosted another radio show in 70s with his brother Joselo, titled Media hora con Joselo y Simón.[12][13]

In 1963 he participated as a collaborator in the album Parranda criolla, produced by Hugo Blanco. His first album as a solo artist Ya llegó Simón was released in that same year. Throughout his career he recorded over 70 records[6][14] and CDs, and made innumerable performances.[4][15] Díaz composed and authored the music & lyrics of "Caballo viejo", first released in 1980 (Venezuela) under the album titled "Golpe y Pasaje", Label Palacio de la Música. To date, the song has more than 300 covers from around the world. In 1987 it was recorded by the Gipsy Kings as the hit song "Bamboléo". Simón Díaz's compositions have been performed by artists such as "Roberto Torres", Plácido Domingo,[16] Ray Conniff,[17] Julio Iglesias,[18] Celia Cruz,[16] Rubén Blades,[16] Gilberto Santa Rosa,[16] Gipsy Kings,[16] Ivan Lins,[19] Joyce,[20] Cheo Feliciano,[21] Juan Gabriel,[16] María Dolores Pradera,[22] Tania Libertad,[23] Ry Cooder[24] and Devendra Banhart[4][16]

Díaz also performed in theater, motion pictures and television. In the 1960s he became a comedian in Venezuela. He had the leading role in three plays, and participated in films such as Cuentos para mayores (1963), Isla de sal (1964),[25] El reportero (1968),[26] La bomba (1975), Fiebre (1976), La invasión (1977) y La empresa perdona un momento de locura (1978).[8] He produced and hosted 12 different TV shows, all of them devised to promote Venezuelan music. One of these shows, Contesta por tío Simón, aired on Venezolana de Television for over 10 years and was devoted to teaching popular culture to children. It was during this time that Díaz's viewers began calling him "tío Simón" (uncle Simón).[4][27]

Simón Díaz

Death

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After battling Alzheimer's disease for many years, his son, Bettsimar Díaz García, announced that he died at his home in Caracas on 19 February 2014.[13] Following his death, the Venezuelan Government announced three days of national mourning, and a concert to celebrate his life on 23 February 2024. He was buried on 21 February 2024 at the Cementerio General del Este in Caracas.[9]

Awards and recognition

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Simón Díaz was awarded the highest recognition conferred by the Venezuelan state, "The Great Ribbon of the Liberator's Order". He was given honorary doctorate degrees by two major Venezuelan universities, Simón Rodríguez University and Zulia's Universidad Católica Cecilio Acosta.[28]

The Latin American TV channel A&E MUNDO produced a documentary dedicated to Díaz under its “Biography” program, honoring his many contributions to Venezuelan culture, the program began airing in September 2004.[6]

On September 30, 2008, the Latin Grammy Awards announced that they would honor Díaz with a Lifetime Achievement Award, (El Premio del Consejo Directivo).[29] Díaz was awarded the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Trustees Award, presented by Venezuelan salsa singer Oscar D'León.[27]

In 2012, he received the National Prize of Culture (Premio Nacional de la Cultura), in the category of music, by the Venezuelan Ministry of Culture for his work in Venezuelan llanos music, particularly the tonada and traditional milking songs.[30]

Discography

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Serie Title Label Year
LP 6124 Parranda Criolla Palacio 1963
LP 6128 Lila + Hugo + Simón: Música de la Película "Isla de Sal" Palacio 1963
LP 6136 ¡Ya Llegó Simón! Palacio 1963
LP 6146 De Parranda con Simón Palacio 1964
LP 6154 Criollo y Sabroso Palacio 1965
LP 6181 Caracha Negro Palacio 1966
LP 6194 Gaitas y Parrandas con Simón Palacio 1967
LP 6221 Simón En Salsa... En Gaita Palacio 1968
LP 6253 Simón' 69 Palacio 1969
LP 6273 Artistas Venezolanos Solamente Palacio
LP 6275 Gaita 70 Palacio 1970
LP 6297 Simon 71 Palacio 1971
LPS 66299 Tonadas Palacio 1974
L.P.S. 109 Navidad Criolla con el Quinto Criollo Palacio/Guarura 1979
LPS 66333 La Gaita de las Cuñas: El Candidato Chévere ¡Vota por Él! Palacio/H.B 1973
LPS 66345 Las Gaitas de Simón: Enemigo Público N°1 Palacio/H.B 1974
LPS 66363 Las Gaitas de Simón: Culpable? Palacio/H.B 1975
LPS 66384 Tonadas Vol.2 Palacio 1976
LPS 66383 Las Gaitas de Simón: Cuñas, Locas, Borrachitos Palacio/H.B
LPS 66406 Las Gaitas de Simón Palacio/H.B 1977
LPS 66407 Canciones Criollas Vol.3 Palacio 1978
LPS 66430 Canciones y Tonadas Vol.4 Palacio 1978
LPS 66479 Golpe y Pasaje: Caballo Viejo Palacio 1980
LPS 66483 Música Folklórica y Popular de Venezuela en Contrapunto Palacio
LPS 66508 Tonadas Favoritas Palacio
LPS 66591 Sus Grandes Éxitos Palacio
LPS 2058 Amor Enguayabao Palacio/Rodven 1993
LPS 2067 Cuenta y Canta Vol.1 Palacio
LPS 2068 Cuenta y Canta Vol.2 Palacio

References

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  1. ^ "Murió Simón Díaz, el autor de "Caballo viejo"". BBC Mundo (in Spanish). 19 February 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  2. ^ País, El (2014-02-19). "Falleció el cantautor venezolano Simón Díaz, el autor de 'Caballo Viejo'". Noticias de Cali, Valle y Colombia - Periodico: Diario El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  3. ^ "Murió Simón Díaz, el autor de "Caballo Viejo"". BBC News Mundo (in Spanish). 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e Diaz, Simón. "Simón Díaz". Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  5. ^ a b "Soundtracks for La flor de mi secreto (1995)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  6. ^ a b c "Simon Diaz". National Geographic Music. NationalGeographic.com. Archived from the original on 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2009-10-24."His most celebrated songs include "Caballo Viejo", which became a smash hit in a crossover genre known as charanga vallenata, and "Bamboleo", recorded by the Gipsy Kings and Celia Cruz. His works have been performed and recorded by a who's whom of international music, from Plácido Domingo to Ivan Lins. Well into his 70s, Diaz maintains an active artistic life, and continues his performing and touring career with appearances throughout Latin America and the United States, including a slated performance in 2006 at Carnegie Hall."
  7. ^ Graci, Carl; Lindsay, Matt (2005-09-12). "GWU Press Release". George Washington University. GWU Division of External Relations. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  8. ^ a b "Un día como hoy 19 de febrero muere el Tío Simón". DiarioRepublica.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  9. ^ a b c Notizulia (2022-08-08). "Hoy se conmemoran 94 años del natalicio del maestro, "Simón Díaz"". Notizulia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  10. ^ Marcano, Rodrigo (2020-02-19). "La entrevista a Simón Díaz [1928-2014]". Prodavinci (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  11. ^ Fuentes de Arias, Cleotilde Victoria (23 September 2013). "El joropo venezolano expresión de identidad nacional en la cultura popular". Arjé revista de posgrado FACE-UC. 7 (13): 165 – via Academia.edu.
  12. ^ Ballesta, Juan Carlos (2021-02-19). "Simón Díaz: un venezolano universal". Revista Ladosis (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  13. ^ a b Rohter, Larry (2014-02-25). "Simón Díaz, Venezuelan Folk Musician Heard Worldwide, Dies at 85". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  14. ^ "Simon Diaz". The Daily Planet. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 1998. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  15. ^ "Simón Díaz". The Guide to Venezuelan Music. Sincopa. Retrieved 2009-10-27. Lists details on 56 of Diaz's albums
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Simón Díaz". Last.fm. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  17. ^ Caballo Viejo recorded by Conniff in his album, Fantástico! 1983 Brazilian release CBS-138578
  18. ^ "Julio Iglesias Latinamente - Bamboleo". Sony Bmg/Columbia. 1989. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  19. ^ "Ivan Lins - Simon Diaz". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  20. ^ "Simón Díaz". Gracias Simón. Latin World. 2002. Retrieved 2009-10-27.Joyce. Ivan Lins, Cheo Feliciano
  21. ^ Steward, Sue. "Simn Diaz - Gracias". World Music journalist. Passion Music. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2009-10-27. Joyce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Cheo Feliciano, Luis Enrique, Danny Rivera, Ivan Lins, Joan Manuel Serrat
  22. ^ "María Dolores Pradera / Habaneras de Cadiz / El becerrito". 1986 SERDISCO. Archived from the original on 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2009-10-27.Pradera performs El becerrito, written by Simon Diaz
  23. ^ "Amar Amando". Tania Libertad. T.H. Rodven. Retrieved 2009-10-27.Libertad performs Caballo Viejo on her album Amar Amando
  24. ^ "Simon Diaz". Global Rhythm. globalrhythm.net. Retrieved 2009-10-27.Celia Cruz, Plácido Domingo, Ry Cooder and the Gipsy Kings
  25. ^ "Isla de sal (1964)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  26. ^ "El reportero (1968)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  27. ^ a b "Honorary Latin Grammy Award for Simón Díaz". Udenrigsministeriet. Retrieved 2009-10-24. [dead link]
  28. ^ Finol, David (2009-07-29). "Doctorado Honoris Causa en Música al maestro Simón Díaz". El Nacional. Archived from the original on 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  29. ^ "Artists to Receive the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award". Latin Grammy. Latin Grammy.com. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  30. ^ ztgroupcorp (2012-08-01). "▷ Simón Díaz recibe Premio Nacional de Cultura". El Impulso (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
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