Jorge Antonio Cafrune (Perico Del Carmen, Jujuy, August 8, 1937 – Buenos Aires, February 1, 1978) was one of the most popular Argentine folklorist singers of his time, as well as an unflagging researcher, compiler, and diffuser of the native culture.
Biography Jorge Cafrune was born in the estancia "La Matilde" of El Sunchal, El Carmen, Jujuy in a family of Syrian–Lebanese origin. He completed his secondary studies in San Salvador de Jujuy, during which he took guitar classes with Nicolás Lamadrid.
In 1957 he recorded his first album with the band Las voces de Huayra that in 1960 changed its name to Los cantores del Alba, with Ariel Ramírez as manager. Beginning in 1962, Cafrune began to perform at the Cosquin Folkloric Festival. In 1966 in one of his visits to smaller villages, he met a young folklorist singer called José Larralde.
In 1967, Cafrune started a trip titled "De a caballo por mi patria" ("On horseback through my country") in homage to the Riojan leader Chacho Peñaloza. During this trip, Cafrune traveled about Argentina in the style of a traditional gaucho, taking his art and message around the country.
In 1977, after several years spent living in Spain, he returned to Argentina which was ruled at the time by the military dictatorship of Jorge Rafael Videla. The government saw a menace in Cafrune's outspoken music, particularly his politically controversial song Zamba de mi esperanza. On his persistence, Cafrune said, "Although it is not in the authorized repertoire, if my people request it of me, I am going to sing it." After being run over by a van driven by two 19-year-old men while riding a horse in a main road at 1 am, Cafrune died within twelve hours on February 1, 1978.
Discography Title Year Company Las voces de Huayra 1957 Columbia Folklore 1962 H. y R. Tope Puestero Cafrune Jorge Cafrune Emoción, Canto y Guitarra 1964 CBS Cuando llegue el alba Que seas vos Ando cantándole al viento y no sólo por cantar 1965 El Chacho, Vida y muerte de un caudillo - Mono 8599 La Independencia 1966 Yo digo lo que siento Jorge Cafrune 1967 Yo he visto cantar al viento 1968 Este destino cantor 1969 Zamba por vos Jorge Cafrune interpreta a José Pedroni 1970 Lindo haberlo vivido para poderlo contar 1971 Labrador del canto Yo le canto al Paraguay Virgen India (con Marito) 1972 Aquí me pongo a contar… Cosas del Martín Fierro De mi madre (con Marito) De lejanas tierras. Jorge Cafrune le canta a Eduardo Falú y Atahualpa Yupanqui Siempre se vuelve 1975 Jorge Cafrune en la ONU 1976
Compilations
Title Year CompanyJorge Cafrune 20 Grandes CancionesMis 30 mejores canciones (2 cd)Sony
Filmography
Title year Directed by Cosquín, amor y folklore 1965 Delfor María Beccaglia Ya tiene comisario el pueblo 1965 Enrique Carreras El cantor enamorado 1969 Juan Antonio Serna Argentinísima 1972 Fernando Ayala y Héctor Olivera El canto cuenta su historia 1976 Fernando Ayala y Héctor Olivera
References
External links Official website Evidence incriminating Villanueva