Oscar Safuan
Encyclopedia
Oscar Nelson Safuán was Paraguayan composer, creator of Avanzada, a folk music style which had its origin in the fusion of the Paraguayan polka
and the Guarania
, with influences of the Brazilian popular music, such as the bossa nova
and the balade.
, Paraguay
, known as Santani. His father, Sado Safuán was of Lebanese origin. He spent his childhood with his family in his hometown. Like all the country children, his childhood was full of games such as hondita and fishing days of tare’yi in the blue waters of Tapirakuai. He also used to participate in the rodeos, ride horses, trompo contests and kite flying, at his father's ranch "Paso Naranja". Between football matches and balls, he discovered one day that, besides all of these activities which occupied his time, there was something else that would fill his days totally: music.
First it was the little organ, then the guitar and soon he found himself forming the first trio. After that many nights of serenades, radio programs in Asunción
, the capital of the country, and a goal to pursue: get to Brazil
with his loving music.
This goal was to be growing while Safuán was at the military service, which was obligatory, in Santani.
His first trio had the name of "Los hijos del Paraguay", meaning The Children of Paraguay, a name that was to be strongly criticized by his father who said at his first presentation: "How can you say that, Paraguayan Children, and not Arab children? You are a son of a Lebanese and must be proud of it…" The reason of his anger was because Mr Sado Safuán didn't want any of his children to be ashamed of their origins. For several days , Oscar tried to explain to his father the true meaning of the name chosen for the trio, but the explanation didn't succeed to convince Mr Sado.
, in Brazil
, as their first stop in a long way. Once located there, they started a series of presentations at some of the local restaurants, which allowed them to cover their daily expenses.
From Foz de Yguazu, they went to Curitiba
, capital of the Paraná
state. With an improvised album, made of eight pictures taken at a nearby lab, in the bus terminal, they left in order to look for a job in the big city. They mainly looked at restaurants and barbecue places, so as to get at least a good meal each day. They also went to newspapers, radio stations, and the only TV channel of Curitiba at that time. It was there that they finally made a series of presentations for a program directed by Kat Maia, TV program presenter.
By then, the group’s name was "The Three Suns" and besides Safuán (who was the third voice of the group) was also Dario Duarte, (second voice, guitar and second requintist) and Antonio Gill (first voice and maracas).
These first experiences of "The three suns" are marked by many anecdotes, normal in a group of musicians who were looking to place their paraguayan music in the foreign market. One of them is that since they did not have money to make their clothes, they bought a strong material, with many color stripes and they converted into the traditional "poncho de sesenta listas" which complemented the typical Paraguayan outfit of the boys: ao poì shirt, pants and three color belt (the colors of the flag).
They were dressed like this during one of the many presentations at a family house when they realized the curtains of the house were of the same material of their ponchos, which made them lose interest in wearing them anymore. They gained a prestige with a lot of effort in the stages of Curitiba, therefore they set a new goal, to arrive to São Paulo
.
, Papi Galan and Americo Pereira, and with this one, Safuán studied theory. He also studied with masters such as Miguel Angel, Rufo Herrera and Luis Pecora. At the same time, he dedicated to making musical arrangements at disco houses and to the presentations of the group.
Later, he continued studying with different masters. Safuán founded a music school, "Los Amigos", where he taught other Paraguayans to read music. He was questioned by the evolution of the folk music of his country, and in 1974 he started a research on it, and elaborated the basis for a projection proposal, developing rhythmic combinations as well as melodic ones, in base of the fusion of the guarania and the Paraguayan polka. In 1977 he presented in Asunción
his new rhythm named Avanzada, applied to his first composition: "Tema Paraguayo". This musical innovation was supported by important people of the Paraguayan musical sphere, among them, Don Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo
, but the Avanzada had also people against it.
From 1980, the Avanzada began to gain an important space as a musical style which is now part of the country folk music.
In this musical style, Safuán incorporates, besides folk rhythms, electronic instruments and we can also perceive some influence of the popular Brazilian music such as bossa nova and ballade.
, city of Brazil
, from a painful disease.
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
and the Guarania
Guarania (music)
Guarania is a style of music created in Paraguay by musician José Asunción Flores in 1925 with the purpose of expressing the character of the Paraguayan people...
, with influences of the Brazilian popular music, such as the bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
and the balade.
Childhood and Youth
He was born on September 21, 1943 in San EstanislaoSan Estanislao
San Estanislao de Kostka is a city and district in the department of San Pedro, Paraguay.- History :...
, Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
, known as Santani. His father, Sado Safuán was of Lebanese origin. He spent his childhood with his family in his hometown. Like all the country children, his childhood was full of games such as hondita and fishing days of tare’yi in the blue waters of Tapirakuai. He also used to participate in the rodeos, ride horses, trompo contests and kite flying, at his father's ranch "Paso Naranja". Between football matches and balls, he discovered one day that, besides all of these activities which occupied his time, there was something else that would fill his days totally: music.
First it was the little organ, then the guitar and soon he found himself forming the first trio. After that many nights of serenades, radio programs in Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
, the capital of the country, and a goal to pursue: get to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
with his loving music.
This goal was to be growing while Safuán was at the military service, which was obligatory, in Santani.
His first trio had the name of "Los hijos del Paraguay", meaning The Children of Paraguay, a name that was to be strongly criticized by his father who said at his first presentation: "How can you say that, Paraguayan Children, and not Arab children? You are a son of a Lebanese and must be proud of it…" The reason of his anger was because Mr Sado Safuán didn't want any of his children to be ashamed of their origins. For several days , Oscar tried to explain to his father the true meaning of the name chosen for the trio, but the explanation didn't succeed to convince Mr Sado.
First steps
Towards the end of 1962, in the middle of a great expectation, the group left to Foz de YguazuFoz do Iguaçu
Foz do Iguaçu is the 7th largest city in Paraná state, Brazil, with a population of 255,900 inhabitants. It is located approximately 650 km west of Curitiba, Parana's capital city, being the westernmost city in that state...
, in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, as their first stop in a long way. Once located there, they started a series of presentations at some of the local restaurants, which allowed them to cover their daily expenses.
From Foz de Yguazu, they went to Curitiba
Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
, capital of the Paraná
Paraná (state)
Paraná is one of the states of Brazil, located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by São Paulo state, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by Mato Grosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay,...
state. With an improvised album, made of eight pictures taken at a nearby lab, in the bus terminal, they left in order to look for a job in the big city. They mainly looked at restaurants and barbecue places, so as to get at least a good meal each day. They also went to newspapers, radio stations, and the only TV channel of Curitiba at that time. It was there that they finally made a series of presentations for a program directed by Kat Maia, TV program presenter.
By then, the group’s name was "The Three Suns" and besides Safuán (who was the third voice of the group) was also Dario Duarte, (second voice, guitar and second requintist) and Antonio Gill (first voice and maracas).
These first experiences of "The three suns" are marked by many anecdotes, normal in a group of musicians who were looking to place their paraguayan music in the foreign market. One of them is that since they did not have money to make their clothes, they bought a strong material, with many color stripes and they converted into the traditional "poncho de sesenta listas" which complemented the typical Paraguayan outfit of the boys: ao poì shirt, pants and three color belt (the colors of the flag).
They were dressed like this during one of the many presentations at a family house when they realized the curtains of the house were of the same material of their ponchos, which made them lose interest in wearing them anymore. They gained a prestige with a lot of effort in the stages of Curitiba, therefore they set a new goal, to arrive to São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
.
His trajectory
He established himself in São Paulo. There the group made contact with other Paraguayan artists who were living in that city, such the case of Luis BordónLuis Bordón
Luis Bordón was a musician and composer of Paraguay and interpreter of the Paraguayan harp.- Childhood and Youth :Luis Bordón was born in the city of Guarambaré Central Department, Paraguay on August 19, 1926, and from a very early age he was fanatical with the art of musical performance, supported...
, Papi Galan and Americo Pereira, and with this one, Safuán studied theory. He also studied with masters such as Miguel Angel, Rufo Herrera and Luis Pecora. At the same time, he dedicated to making musical arrangements at disco houses and to the presentations of the group.
Later, he continued studying with different masters. Safuán founded a music school, "Los Amigos", where he taught other Paraguayans to read music. He was questioned by the evolution of the folk music of his country, and in 1974 he started a research on it, and elaborated the basis for a projection proposal, developing rhythmic combinations as well as melodic ones, in base of the fusion of the guarania and the Paraguayan polka. In 1977 he presented in Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
his new rhythm named Avanzada, applied to his first composition: "Tema Paraguayo". This musical innovation was supported by important people of the Paraguayan musical sphere, among them, Don Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo
Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo
Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo was the main reference of the so called “golden generation” of the Paraguayan popular music and a strict studious of the Paraguayan folk music.-Biography:...
, but the Avanzada had also people against it.
From 1980, the Avanzada began to gain an important space as a musical style which is now part of the country folk music.
Works
Year | Works |
---|---|
1975 | Tema paraguayo; Avanzada. |
1978/1979 | Credo |
1980 | Badí badá; Paraguay 80; Nacionales 1 |
1980/1983 | Nacionales 2; Nacionales 3 |
1984 | Panambí hu |
1985 | Dos guitarras |
Awards and distinctions
Year | Awards |
---|---|
1985 | Award given as "Los doce del año". Radio 1º de Marzo. Asunción. Paraguay. Recognition plate. Dúo sertanejo "César e Paulinho". Piracicaba. Brasil. |
1992 | Honor Mention from Ateneo Paraguayo. |
1990/1994 | Homage twice at the "Festival del Tapirakai" San Estanislao. Paraguay |
1997/1983 | Homage by the group "Arte y Amor" for the creation of Avanzada. Autores Paraguayos Asociados (APA). Asunción. Paraguay. |
1994 | Recognized for the services to the nacional cultureat the Festival del Takuare’e. Vice Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. Guarambaré.Paraguay. |
2000 | Homage by the Instituto de formación docente Prof. Mercedes Bareiro de Fretes. Luque. Paraguay. |
2001 | Nacional Music Award 2001. Cámara de Senadores del Congreso Nacional del Paraguay. |
2002 | Homage at the Festival del Colegio de Paraguayos Ilustres. Capiatá. Paraguay. |
2003 | Recognition for the services given to the Nacional art Teatro Municipal de San Lorenzo. |
His style
Safuán presents a new style applied to the traditional paraguayan folk music. He has achieved a perfect and fresh fusion of the Guarania and the Paraugyan Polka, after long years of research, study and love for the music of his country. According to him, "[the Avanzada] is neither polka nor guarania. It is anew rhythm generated by both, and as the child, has a life and a light of his own."In this musical style, Safuán incorporates, besides folk rhythms, electronic instruments and we can also perceive some influence of the popular Brazilian music such as bossa nova and ballade.
Last years
He spent his last years working without rest in favor of the Paraguayan music, in order to spread the culture. He died in Rio Grande do SulRio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
, city of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, from a painful disease.