Ángel Custodio Loyola
Encyclopedia
Ángel Custodio Loyola was a Venezuela
n singer and composer, better known for being pioneering at the diffusion of joropo
and the popular music of the Venezuelan plains, also for being defender of the country’s folklore, and his work for the masification of Venezuelan music, popularizing and being author of songs like: El Gavilán, Tierra Negra, Carnaval, Sentimiento Llanero, Catira Marmoleña, Faenas Llaneras, Puerto Miranda, among others.
, from very young starts at the farm work, circumstance by which only study until the fourth grade of primary school at Calabozo
, in 1940 starts to hear the music of the Venezuelan plains, being fan of singers like Eliseo Flores, Juan de la Cruz Perez, Ricardo Acevedo, Ramón Delgado and Ángel Acevedo. From that, his primordial interest was being interpreter and singer, leaving his home without the consent of his father, to go to Calabozo, where he would initiate his career as folk singer. After informal and occasional presentations, at the age of 18 sings for the first time like guest, at the Oliveros ranch. Some years before this, several singers and harpists seen Loyola in a presentation at El Berraco, in Barinas
. His discoverers were Germán Fleitas Beroes, Pedro Azopardo, Rafael Hurtado Rondón and Mariano Hurtado Rondón, who heard him singing in Camaguán. Loyola starts to learn to execute the harp
and to cultivate his voice, turning with the years one of the best Venezuelan joropo
singers.
, who takes him to Caracas
, recording along with Los Torrealberos, some folk songs like, El Carnaval and Los Corazones, after differences, Loyola decides to retire of the group of Torrealba, from this Loyola starts to sing along with El Indio Figueredo, with whom he recorded about forty albums, experience that allowed him to found in 1954 his own group, Ángel Custodio Loyola y sus Guariqueños, recording for the seal Discomoda, receiving a great amount of money by each 78 rpm record.
In the 1950s, according to the affirmation of Loyola, the different modalities of the Venezuelan joropo were not present at the folklorical repertoire of the country, attributing this to the preference of the llanero
by the contrapunteo modality. In addition to the popularity at the radio of the mambo.
Defender of maintain without modifications the essence of the llanero music, was opponent of Armando Lovera criticizing him, for the use the drum
s instead of maracas, of Juan Vicente Torrealba
, for the introduction and use of the Bass guitar
, as well of Rafael Martínez Arteaga and Santiago Rojas for their humorous songs. In contrast to this, El Indio Figueredo, Eneas Perdomo
, Nelson Morales, El Carrao de Palmarito, Eudes Alvarez, Joseíto Romero and Cándido Herrera always enjoyed his greater estimation.
His linking to the radio, the advantages for an artist this mass media and his preoccupation for the diffusion of authentic llanero music, induces him to buy in 1976, the station Radio Central de Maracay where he led the program Venezuela canta en Aragua. Also in that year, participates at the Florentino de Oro Festival, where he receives the first prize along with Mayra Martí.
On September, 1976, was part of the artists that appear at the Pro-Victim Festival of Apure, also in that month appears at the Caracas Polyhedron, and between January–February, 1977, was part of the jury at El Silbón, II Llanero Music Festival in the Chucho Rivas Stadium of Guanare
, receiving a tribute to his career. On May, 1977, Vicente Medina, wrote at El Nacional
, an article cataloguing Loyola and El Indio Figueredo, as exceptions of good voices of the popular music, in that year is published the album Adilia Castillo, Ángel C. Loyola. Los Grandes del Contrapunteo.
On September 24, 1985, Ángel Custodio Loyola dies in Cagua
, Aragua state
, at the age of 59, without the deserved tributes and recognitions for his career, and contribution to the Venezuelan folklore.
(Venezuelan typical male clothing), and his custom to sing with a handkerchief at the right hand.
The year of his death, Raul Vallejo publishes an important article at El Nacional
, where he presents Loyola, like symbol of the llanero
, with a spontaneous and wild attitude, that sang with love the music of his country, always protecting the national artist and folklore. In 1985 the singer Nicolas Carrera, includes at his album Un Coplero recio, the song Homenaje a Loyola (Tribute to Loyola), in 1987 is published the compilation album Ángel C. Loyola-El Carrao-Eneas Perdomo, and in the 2000s is released the album Clásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio Loyola
.
The bus terminal
of Calabozo
, was named after him, and since 2008, is celebrated by Fundallanura the Ángel Custodio Loyola prize, recognizing the people who works for the development of llanero culture.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n singer and composer, better known for being pioneering at the diffusion of joropo
Joropo
The Joropo is a musical style resembling the waltz, and an accompanying dance, having African and European influences originated in Venezuela and performed in Colombia and Venezuela. It's a fundamental genre belonging to its typical music or música criolla...
and the popular music of the Venezuelan plains, also for being defender of the country’s folklore, and his work for the masification of Venezuelan music, popularizing and being author of songs like: El Gavilán, Tierra Negra, Carnaval, Sentimiento Llanero, Catira Marmoleña, Faenas Llaneras, Puerto Miranda, among others.
First years
Been born at the Mata Arzolera, a small village of El Socorro, Guárico, VenezuelaVenezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, from very young starts at the farm work, circumstance by which only study until the fourth grade of primary school at Calabozo
Calabozo
Villa de Todos los Santos de Calabozo, an inland town of Venezuela, once capital of the Province of Caracas in the colonial period, formerly in the State of Miranda and former capital of the state of Guárico....
, in 1940 starts to hear the music of the Venezuelan plains, being fan of singers like Eliseo Flores, Juan de la Cruz Perez, Ricardo Acevedo, Ramón Delgado and Ángel Acevedo. From that, his primordial interest was being interpreter and singer, leaving his home without the consent of his father, to go to Calabozo, where he would initiate his career as folk singer. After informal and occasional presentations, at the age of 18 sings for the first time like guest, at the Oliveros ranch. Some years before this, several singers and harpists seen Loyola in a presentation at El Berraco, in Barinas
Barinas (state)
Barinas State is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barinas. Current President Hugo Chávez was born in this state...
. His discoverers were Germán Fleitas Beroes, Pedro Azopardo, Rafael Hurtado Rondón and Mariano Hurtado Rondón, who heard him singing in Camaguán. Loyola starts to learn to execute the harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
and to cultivate his voice, turning with the years one of the best Venezuelan joropo
Joropo
The Joropo is a musical style resembling the waltz, and an accompanying dance, having African and European influences originated in Venezuela and performed in Colombia and Venezuela. It's a fundamental genre belonging to its typical music or música criolla...
singers.
Professional career
Ángel Custodio Loyola, gets certain relevance by own merits and the help of recognized musicians, receiving his first music lesson from harpist Pérez Acosta, singing next to Jesús Hernandez, Santana Beno, Amalio Farfán, José Romero, Anastasio Aponte, Francisco Teusent and Supertino González. In 1947 begins to have fame, having the nickname of El Renco Loyola. At this time Antonio José Abraham recommends Loyola to Juan Vicente TorrealbaJuan Vicente Torrealba
Juan Vicente Torrealba Pérez in Caracas, Venezuela, is a Venezuelan harpist and composer of popular music.Although born on the outskirts of Caracas, the family moved while he was very young to a ranch in Camaguán, Guárico. The poverty of the family and the region were such that he worked as a...
, who takes him to Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, recording along with Los Torrealberos, some folk songs like, El Carnaval and Los Corazones, after differences, Loyola decides to retire of the group of Torrealba, from this Loyola starts to sing along with El Indio Figueredo, with whom he recorded about forty albums, experience that allowed him to found in 1954 his own group, Ángel Custodio Loyola y sus Guariqueños, recording for the seal Discomoda, receiving a great amount of money by each 78 rpm record.
In the 1950s, according to the affirmation of Loyola, the different modalities of the Venezuelan joropo were not present at the folklorical repertoire of the country, attributing this to the preference of the llanero
Llanero
A llanero is a Venezuelan or Colombian herder. The name is taken from the Llanos grasslands occupying western Venezuela and eastern Colombia. The Llanero were originally part Spanish and Indian and have a strong culture including a distinctive form of music.During the wars of independence,...
by the contrapunteo modality. In addition to the popularity at the radio of the mambo.
Defender of maintain without modifications the essence of the llanero music, was opponent of Armando Lovera criticizing him, for the use the drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s instead of maracas, of Juan Vicente Torrealba
Juan Vicente Torrealba
Juan Vicente Torrealba Pérez in Caracas, Venezuela, is a Venezuelan harpist and composer of popular music.Although born on the outskirts of Caracas, the family moved while he was very young to a ranch in Camaguán, Guárico. The poverty of the family and the region were such that he worked as a...
, for the introduction and use of the Bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, as well of Rafael Martínez Arteaga and Santiago Rojas for their humorous songs. In contrast to this, El Indio Figueredo, Eneas Perdomo
Eneas Perdomo
Eneas Perdomo was a Venezuelan popular singer. He was one of the most recognized singer/songwriters of the Venezuelan Joropo genre.-Early years:...
, Nelson Morales, El Carrao de Palmarito, Eudes Alvarez, Joseíto Romero and Cándido Herrera always enjoyed his greater estimation.
His linking to the radio, the advantages for an artist this mass media and his preoccupation for the diffusion of authentic llanero music, induces him to buy in 1976, the station Radio Central de Maracay where he led the program Venezuela canta en Aragua. Also in that year, participates at the Florentino de Oro Festival, where he receives the first prize along with Mayra Martí.
Consolidation as singer and death
For 1969, his songs, El Gavilán, Pajarillo Número 1, Pajarillo Número 2, Puerto Miranda (Along with El Carrao de Palmarito), were very popular. The particularitities of his compositions to catiras (Blond women), got to give name to one of the modalities of the joropo llanero, also happened with the songs Carnaval Número 1, Carnaval Número 2 and Carnaval Número 3.On September, 1976, was part of the artists that appear at the Pro-Victim Festival of Apure, also in that month appears at the Caracas Polyhedron, and between January–February, 1977, was part of the jury at El Silbón, II Llanero Music Festival in the Chucho Rivas Stadium of Guanare
Guanare
Guanare is the capital city of Portuguesa State, Venezuela. It is where la Virgen de Coromoto is said to have appeared to a Coromoto Indian.Located at the edge of the Southwestern floodplains, near the Andes foothills, Guanare is in a region known for livestock and agricultural production...
, receiving a tribute to his career. On May, 1977, Vicente Medina, wrote at El Nacional
El Nacional
El Nacional is a Venezuelan publishing company under the name C.A. Editorial El Nacional, most widely known for its El Nacional newspaper. It, along with Últimas Noticias and El Universal, are the most widely read and circulated daily national newspapers in the country, and it has an average of...
, an article cataloguing Loyola and El Indio Figueredo, as exceptions of good voices of the popular music, in that year is published the album Adilia Castillo, Ángel C. Loyola. Los Grandes del Contrapunteo.
On September 24, 1985, Ángel Custodio Loyola dies in Cagua
Cagua
Cagua is a city of Venezuela, capital of the Sucre municipality. Cagua is part of the metropolitan area of Maracay.-History:Cagua was established in 1620 as "Cagua La Vieja", a town of original Spaniards. Cagua was rebuilt in its current location in 1622 with the new name of "Nuestra Señora del...
, Aragua state
Aragua (state)
Aragua State is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. It has plains and jungles and Caribbean beaches. The most popular are Cata and Choroni...
, at the age of 59, without the deserved tributes and recognitions for his career, and contribution to the Venezuelan folklore.
Legacy
Ángel Custodio Loyola was the first llanero singer that imposed his style at the mass media, along with his liqui liquiLiqui liqui
The Liqui liqui is the national costume for men in Venezuela and eastern Colombia.Traditionally white, beige, cream or ecru in colour, it is also available in other shades...
(Venezuelan typical male clothing), and his custom to sing with a handkerchief at the right hand.
The year of his death, Raul Vallejo publishes an important article at El Nacional
El Nacional
El Nacional is a Venezuelan publishing company under the name C.A. Editorial El Nacional, most widely known for its El Nacional newspaper. It, along with Últimas Noticias and El Universal, are the most widely read and circulated daily national newspapers in the country, and it has an average of...
, where he presents Loyola, like symbol of the llanero
Llanero
A llanero is a Venezuelan or Colombian herder. The name is taken from the Llanos grasslands occupying western Venezuela and eastern Colombia. The Llanero were originally part Spanish and Indian and have a strong culture including a distinctive form of music.During the wars of independence,...
, with a spontaneous and wild attitude, that sang with love the music of his country, always protecting the national artist and folklore. In 1985 the singer Nicolas Carrera, includes at his album Un Coplero recio, the song Homenaje a Loyola (Tribute to Loyola), in 1987 is published the compilation album Ángel C. Loyola-El Carrao-Eneas Perdomo, and in the 2000s is released the album Clásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio Loyola
Clásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio Loyola
Clásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio Loyola is a Venezuelan compilation album by Ángel Custodio Loyola, released by Discomoda.- Track listing :...
.
The bus terminal
Bus station
A bus station is a structure where city or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. It is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can stop...
of Calabozo
Calabozo
Villa de Todos los Santos de Calabozo, an inland town of Venezuela, once capital of the Province of Caracas in the colonial period, formerly in the State of Miranda and former capital of the state of Guárico....
, was named after him, and since 2008, is celebrated by Fundallanura the Ángel Custodio Loyola prize, recognizing the people who works for the development of llanero culture.
Partial discography
- Pasaje contramarcado (Discomoda DCM-119)
- Buenos Aires llanerosBuenos Aires llanerosBuenos Aires llaneros is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan singer Ángel Custodio Loyola, along with the record label Discomoda....
(Discomoda DCM-195) - Sentimiento llaneroSentimiento llaneroSentimiento llanero is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan singer Ángel Custodio Loyola, with the record label Discomoda...
(Discomoda DCM-246) - Corrío ApureñoCorrío ApureñoCorrío Apureño, is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan llanero singer Ángel Custodio Loyola and his group Los Guariqueños with the seal Discomoda.-Track listing:- References :...
(Discomoda DCM-256) - El guachamarón (Discomoda DCM-287)
- Travesias de Mata Larga (Discomoda DCM-298)
- El tigre de Masaguarito (Discomoda DCM-414)
- Señores, Aquí está un llaneroSeñores, Aquí está un llaneroSeñores, Aquí está un llanero is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan llanero singer Ángel Custodio Loyola and the group Los Guariqueños.-Track listing:-Additional information:...
(Discomoda DCM-462) - Ay! Catira MarmoleñaAy! Catira MarmoleñaAy! Catira Marmoleña, is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan llanero singer Ángel Custodio Loyola and the group Los Guariqueños.-Track listing:-Additional information:*The album was recorded at Sonomatrix studios....
(Discomoda DCM-623) - Sentir VenezolanoSentir VenezolanoSentir Venezolano is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan llanero singer Ángel Custodio Loyola, released and recorded in 1974.-Track listing:- References :...
(Philips 40.097) - El Indio Modesto LayaEl Indio Modesto LayaEl Indio Modesto Laya is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan llanero singer Ángel Custodio Loyola, released in 1977, at the celebration of Loyola's 30 years of artistic life.-Track listing:-Additional information:...
(Palacio LPS-66.386) - El Guariqueño si sabeEl Guariqueño si sabeEl Guariqueño si sabe is the name of a 33-RPM LP album by Venezuelan singer Ángel Custodio Loyola, released in the 1970s, with the record label Cachilapo...
(Cachilapo LPC-017)
Compilations
- El Disco de Oro de Ángel C. LoyolaEl Disco de Oro de Ángel C. LoyolaEl Disco de Oro de Ángel C. Loyola, is a Venezuelan compilation album released as compact disc, in 1992, with the best songs of llanero singer Ángel Custodio Loyola and his group Los Guariqueños.-Track listing:- See also :*Venezuela...
(Discomoda DCM-973) - Ángel C. Loyola-El Carrao-Eneas Perdomo (Discomoda LP-TB 1402)
- Bravos del Canto Llanero (Discomoda DCM ER-20010)
- Clásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio LoyolaClásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio LoyolaClásicos llaneros de Ángel Custodio Loyola is a Venezuelan compilation album by Ángel Custodio Loyola, released by Discomoda.- Track listing :...
(Discomoda 601537) - Loyola y El Carrao (Foca Records FD-43398673)
See also
- JoropoJoropoThe Joropo is a musical style resembling the waltz, and an accompanying dance, having African and European influences originated in Venezuela and performed in Colombia and Venezuela. It's a fundamental genre belonging to its typical music or música criolla...
- VenezuelaVenezuelaVenezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
- Venezuelan music
- Juan Vicente TorrealbaJuan Vicente TorrealbaJuan Vicente Torrealba Pérez in Caracas, Venezuela, is a Venezuelan harpist and composer of popular music.Although born on the outskirts of Caracas, the family moved while he was very young to a ranch in Camaguán, Guárico. The poverty of the family and the region were such that he worked as a...
- Ignacio FigueredoIgnacio FigueredoIgnacio Ventura Figueredo , was a Venezuelan folk musician and harpist.-His early successes:At age 11 he made his first public presentations in San Juan de Payara...
External links
- International Jose Guillermo Carrillo Foundation
- Songs of Ángel C. Loyola at www.llanera.com
- Poem dedicated to Loyola at www.lablaa.org
Source
- Based on the exhaustive investigation of Guillermo Ramos Flamerich about the life of Ángel Custodio Loyola