Adolfo Columbo ( Canary Islands, 1868 – Havana 1953) was a leading singer in the Alhambra Theatre [1] in Havana, and also an actor and a leading personality in the theatre. Colombo was the most recorded artist in Cuba up to 1925: records show he recorded about 350 numbers between 1906 and 1917. [2]
Colombo was a tenor, who sang regularly with Claudio García ( baritone) in the theatre and on recordings. He also recorded with Regino López and other artists between 1906 and 1929. In 1908 he joined the Cuarteto Villalón with García, Emilio Reinoso ( mandolin), and Alberto Villalón ( guitar). This was an early precursor of the son groups that developed later in Havana. Their repertoire included boleros and other Cuban genres such as guarachas, a genre which owed its origin to the theatre. One that has been reissued by Harlequin reveals a funky number which is hard to categorize. Listed as a rumba, it is perhaps better described as a guaracha-son. [3] The artists singing are Colombo and Claudio García, the guitar probably Alberto Villalón, plus an unknown musician playing what may be a tres guitar; there is also a clavé. All three named players were white, yet the number is creole, almost Afro-Cuban, in style. Mamá Teresa is still quite well known today in Cuba, and has been recorded by many other groups:
Theatre and theatrical music were hugely important in Cuba in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The zarzuelas (light one-act operettas) and bufos (ribald satirical comedy) both included songs with content about contemporary political and social events. They played a part in the creole movement for the emancipation of slaves and the independence of Cuba. They played a part in criticising governments, lampooning public figures and poking fun at the behaviour of men and women. [4] [5] Most of the recordings Colombo made are now lost, but lyrics have largely survived, and some have been reprinted. [6]
There was a long-standing debate about Colombo's place of birth and origin, [7] which has now been settled by the recent publication of his place of birth as the Canary Islands. [8]