Rafi Escudero
Encyclopedia
Rafi Escudero is a Puerto Rican musician
, singer, composer
, poet
and a political activist.
the capital city of the island. His parents were well aware that their son was musically inclined at a young age. They also stressed that their son receive a good education and sent him to study in private schools. They wanted their son to learn about classical music and contracted the services of violin
teacher Eduardo Geigel to teach Escudero how to play the violin
. When Escudero wasn't in school or taking violin classes, he would spend hours on the family piano
until he finally taught himself how to play. He perfected his piano playing by taking piano leasons from the maestro Pedro Escabi.
where he studied humanities. As a student in the university, he was exposed to the works of some of Puerto Rico's greatest poets, Antonio Machado, Julia de Burgos
and Juan Antonio Corretjer
. The works of these poets greatly influenced Escudero and where to serve as the basis for his inspiration.
. He recorded "Añoranzas", "Carta a Juan Morel
" and "Caricias". The recordings were a success and Escudero received the acceptance and recognition from the public and fellow musicians alike.
During the 1970s, Escudero composed many songs that were recorded by the following singers, Danny Rivera
, Marco Antonio Muñiz
, Jose Feliciano
, Cheo Feliciano
, Ismael Miranda
and many others. Escudero recorded Sin tu Amor" (Without your Love), "Cuando el amor germina", "Repica ese guiro y canta" and "Pa' cortase las venas". He also participated with dozens of Latin American singers in the recording of "Somos el Projimo" (We're your neighbor) which was the Latin-American version of "We Are The World". Escudero, appeared in the film "Under Suspicion" starring Morgan Freeman
and Gene Hackman
as a Ballroom musician and performed in the song "Party Man" written by Miguel Zayas.
de Oro for composer of the year 1981 and the Outstanding Singer Award in the Record Festivals from 1983 to 1985.
Center for the Performing Arts (Centro de Bellas Arts). In 2001, he ran for the position of president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
, however he withdrew from the race. Escudero currently remains politically active in the party.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, singer, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and a political activist.
Early years
Escudero was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
the capital city of the island. His parents were well aware that their son was musically inclined at a young age. They also stressed that their son receive a good education and sent him to study in private schools. They wanted their son to learn about classical music and contracted the services of violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
teacher Eduardo Geigel to teach Escudero how to play the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. When Escudero wasn't in school or taking violin classes, he would spend hours on the family piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
until he finally taught himself how to play. He perfected his piano playing by taking piano leasons from the maestro Pedro Escabi.
Early influences
During the 1960s, he enrolled in the University of Puerto RicoUniversity of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
where he studied humanities. As a student in the university, he was exposed to the works of some of Puerto Rico's greatest poets, Antonio Machado, Julia de Burgos
Julia de Burgos
Julia Constancia Burgos García is considered by many as the greatest poet to have been born in Puerto Rico, and along with Gabriela Mistral, is considered as one of the greatest female poets of Latin America...
and Juan Antonio Corretjer
Juan Antonio Corretjer
Juan Antonio Corretjer Montes , was a poet, journalist and pro-independence political activist opposing United States rule in Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
. The works of these poets greatly influenced Escudero and where to serve as the basis for his inspiration.
Modern Danzas
Escudero debuted as a musician by recording modernized versions of classical danzasMusic of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
. He recorded "Añoranzas", "Carta a Juan Morel
Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos , sometimes erroneously spelled Juan Morell Campos, was a Puerto Rican composer, considered by many to be responsible for taking the genre of danza to its highest level.-Early years:...
" and "Caricias". The recordings were a success and Escudero received the acceptance and recognition from the public and fellow musicians alike.
During the 1970s, Escudero composed many songs that were recorded by the following singers, Danny Rivera
Danny Rivera
Danny Rivera is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who was born in San Juan whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is well-known in Puerto Rico for his political activism.-Musical career:...
, Marco Antonio Muñiz
Marco Antonio Muñiz
Marco Antonio Muñiz is a singer from Jalisco, Mexico. Known all over Latin America, Muñiz actually has declared publicly and in most countries he has visited, that Puerto Rico is his second country, and many Puerto Ricans consider him to be an "honorary Puerto Rican"...
, Jose Feliciano
José Feliciano
José Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".-Childhood:...
, Cheo Feliciano
Cheo Feliciano
José Feliciano, better known as Cheo Feliciano , is a composer and singer of salsa and bolero music.-Early years:...
, Ismael Miranda
Ismael Miranda
Ismael Miranda a.k.a. El niño bonito de la Salsa is a composer and a singer of salsa music.-Early years:...
and many others. Escudero recorded Sin tu Amor" (Without your Love), "Cuando el amor germina", "Repica ese guiro y canta" and "Pa' cortase las venas". He also participated with dozens of Latin American singers in the recording of "Somos el Projimo" (We're your neighbor) which was the Latin-American version of "We Are The World". Escudero, appeared in the film "Under Suspicion" starring Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
and Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman is an American actor and novelist.Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two, Hackman has also won three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs in a career that spanned five decades. He first came to fame in 1967 with his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde...
as a Ballroom musician and performed in the song "Party Man" written by Miguel Zayas.
Selection of Danza's by Escudero
The following is a list of some of Escudero's Danza's:- Añoranza
- Caricias
- Carta a Morel
Poet
Escudero wrote two books of poetry. The first book was titled "En un Mundo de Cuerdos" and the second book "Comentario desde el Soberao", published by the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture. In 1999, he recorded "Comentario desde el Soberao" where he describes the situations and characters in his book. This was the first time that a poet/musician combined his poems and music together.Awards and recognitions
Among the many awards and recognitions bestowed upon Escudero are the following, The AgueybanaAgüeybaná
Agüeybaná and Agüeybaná II , were the principal and most powerful caciques of the Taíno people in "Borikén" when the Spaniards first arrived on the island on November 19, 1493.- "The Great Sun" :...
de Oro for composer of the year 1981 and the Outstanding Singer Award in the Record Festivals from 1983 to 1985.
Political activist
In 1998, Escudero was named by Puerto Rico's governor Pedro Rosello to join the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture and of the Luis A. FerreLuis A. Ferré
Don Luis Alberto Ferré Aguayo was a Puerto Rican engineer, industrialist, politician, philanthropist, and a patron of the arts. He was the third Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1973, and the founding father of the New Progressive Party which advocates for Puerto Rico...
Center for the Performing Arts (Centro de Bellas Arts). In 2001, he ran for the position of president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
The New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that advocates for Puerto Rico's admission to the United States of America as the 51st state...
, however he withdrew from the race. Escudero currently remains politically active in the party.