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The Latin American Bolero: A Transnational Popular MusicMain MenuThe BoleroFrom Santiago to Mexico City and the World"Tristezas" (1883)The Bolero is born in Santiago de CubaLos Cuatro Grandes"Boda Negra" (1919)Bolero Yucateco"Presentimiento" (1924)Bolero Yucateco"Nunca" (1927)Bolero YucatecoAgustin Lara's Boleros"Imposible" (1928)"Solamente Una Vez" (1942)Jeannelle Ramirezf99d03e974d64e83c5102706e4795f57957920cf
The Bolero Arrives in Mexico
12016-10-24T12:10:16-07:00Jeannelle Ramirezf99d03e974d64e83c5102706e4795f57957920cf1120013image_header2016-12-12T17:09:34-08:00Jeannelle Ramirezf99d03e974d64e83c5102706e4795f57957920cfAlberto Villalón is the songwriter credited with introducing the bolero to Mexico. Between 1902 and 1904, Villalon's group of troubadours (which included Miguel Zaballa and Adolfo Colombo) visited Mexico twice, performing bufo theater with Raul del Monte's company.[1] Theatrical music was still a very important cultural form in Cuba and one of the primary means through which music was exported from the island.
In 1907, the record company Victor established a label in Havana. There, Adolfo Colombo (tenor) recorded several boleros by Villalón that same year. (Dueñas, 16) One of these was "La Clave del Triunfo del Bolero" which was the title song of Villalón's theatrical work La Clave del Triunfo del Bolero. Although the recording is not available online, we know that it was a duet with female voice, featuring Pilar Jimenez (soprano). Several of the recordings from that year feature this vocal duo.
Although it is not clear if Victor marketed these records outside the island, the potential for the music to reach other countries would have been immediately expanded. However, theatrical performance was still the primary form of musical exchange between Cuba and Mexico. o.ueñas, 17) ld have been immediately
[1] Dueñas, Pablo. Historia Documental del Bolero Mexicano. Associación Mexicana de Estudios Fonograficos. 1993. Mexico, D.F., p. 17
