Simón Díaz
{{family name hatnote|Díaz|Márquez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Simón Díaz
| image = Simón Díaz en Boston.jpg
| caption = Simón Díaz performing at Boston, Massachusetts in 2005
| image_size = 150px
| landscape = yes
| origin =
| instruments =
| genre = Venezuelan folk music
| occupations = Musician, singer, composer
| birth_name = Simón Narciso Díaz Márquez
| alias = Tío Simón
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1928|8|8}}
| birth_place = Barbacoas, Aragua, Venezuela{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2014/02/140219_venezuela_simon_diaz_obituario_yv|work=BBC Mundo|title=Murió Simón Díaz, el autor de "Caballo viejo"|date=19 February 2014|access-date=27 April 2021|language=es}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|02|19|1928|8|8}}
| death_place = Caracas, Venezuela
| years_active = 1948–2007
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website = http://www.simondiaz.com
}}
Simón Narciso Díaz Márquez (August 8, 1928 – February 19, 2014), also known as tío Simón, was a Venezuelan singer, actor, TV host, comedian, and Grammy Award-winning composer of Venezuelan music.{{Cite web |last=País |first=El |date=2014-02-19 |title=Falleció el cantautor venezolano Simón Díaz, el autor de 'Caballo Viejo' |url=https://www.elpais.com.co/entretenimiento/fallecio-el-cantautor-venezolano-simon-diaz-el-autor-de-caballo-viejo.html |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=Noticias de Cali, Valle y Colombia - Periodico: Diario El País |language=spanish}}{{Cite web |date=2014-02-19 |title=Murió Simón Díaz, el autor de "Caballo Viejo" |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2014/02/140219_venezuela_simon_diaz_obituario_yv |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=BBC News Mundo |language=es}} Some of his most popular songs include Caballo viejo, Tonada de luna llena and La vaca Mariposa.
Díaz endeavored to recover the folklore and musical traditions of the Venezuelan Llanos (plains). This style of music has since been performed by artists such as Argentina's Mercedes Sosa, Brazil's Caetano Veloso, Spain's Joan Manuel Serrat, Peru's Susana Baca, Puerto Rico's Danny Rivera, and Venezuelans Franco De Vita, Soledad Bravo, Juan Carlos Salazar, Carlos Baute and José Luis Rodríguez, among others.{{cite web |url=http://www.simondiaz.com/english.html |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-23 |last=Diaz |first=Simón |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306032156/http://www.simondiaz.com/english.html |archive-date=2019-03-06 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113083/soundtrack|title=Soundtracks for La flor de mi secreto (1995)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2009-10-23}} Many of Díaz's works have been adapted by symphonies and choral ensembles throughout Venezuela, as well as being incorporated into the orchestral and choral arrangements of conductors and composers of academic music.{{cite news | first=Carl | last=Graci |author2=Lindsay, Matt | title=GWU Press Release | date=2005-09-12 | publisher=GWU Division of External Relations | url =http://www.gwu.edu/~media/pressrelease.cfm?event_id=5720 | work =George Washington University | accessdate = 2009-10-28 }}
Artists from other disciplines have also utilized Díaz's work. For example, German choreographer Pina Bausch included some of Díaz's songs in her work Nur Du. Film director Pedro Almodóvar included Díaz's song "Tonada de luna llena" as part of the soundtrack for his film The Flower of My Secret, sung by the Brazilian artist Caetano Veloso.
Early life
He was born in Barbacoas, Guárico state (nowadays in the state of Aragua), Venezuela, to Juan Díaz and María Márquez de Díaz. He had 7 siblings, one of which is the now deceased actor and comedian Joselo Díaz. His father was a musician and played the cornet in a local band, and he encouraged him to play the Venezuelan cuatro as well as taught him some of the basics in music.{{Cite web |title=Un día como hoy 19 de febrero muere el Tío Simón |url=https://www.diariorepublica.com/espectaculos/un-dia-como-hoy-19-de-febrero-muere-el-tio-simon |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=DiarioRepublica.com |language=es}}
After his father's death in 1940, his family relocated to San Juan de los Morros, where he finished primary school and started receiving music lessons from Ramón Ziegler. In an interview, he described that in that moment, as the eldest brother, he became the “man of the house” and helped his mother raise the rest of his siblings. When he turned 15, he started working as an assistant of the local Siboney Orchestra and soon after performed as comedian under the pseudonym «el Chato».{{Cite web |last=Notizulia |date=2022-08-08 |title=Hoy se conmemoran 94 años del natalicio del maestro, "Simón Díaz". |url=https://notizulia.net/hoy-se-conmemoran-94-anos-del-natalicio-del-gran-simon-diaz/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=Notizulia |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Marcano |first=Rodrigo |date=2020-02-19 |title=La entrevista a Simón Díaz [1928-2014] |url=https://prodavinci.com/la-entrevista-a-simon-diaz-1928-2014/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=Prodavinci |language=es}}
Career
File:Certificado de conducir Simón Díaz.jpg
In 1949 he started working in Caracas as a collector for the Banco Venezolano de Crédito and started receiving music lessons at the Escuela Superior de Música de Caracas.{{Cite journal |last=Fuentes de Arias |first=Cleotilde Victoria |date=23 September 2013 |title=El joropo venezolano expresión de identidad nacional en la cultura popular |url=https://www.academia.edu/22394822/Proyecto_joropo_venezolano_influencia_de_identidad_nacional |journal=Arjé revista de posgrado FACE-UC |volume=7 |issue=13 |pages=165 |via=Academia.edu}} In the 1950s he gained attention as the host of El llanero, a radio show where he mixed folk music and comedy. Later on, he hosted another radio show in 70s with his brother Joselo, titled Media hora con Joselo y Simón.{{Cite web |last=Ballesta |first=Juan Carlos |date=2021-02-19 |title=Simón Díaz: un venezolano universal |url=https://revistaladosis.com/simon-diaz-historia |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Revista Ladosis |language=es}}{{Cite news |last=Rohter |first=Larry |date=2014-02-25 |title=Simón Díaz, Venezuelan Folk Musician Heard Worldwide, Dies at 85 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/25/arts/music/simon-diaz-venezuelan-folk-musician-dies-at-85.html |access-date=2024-07-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
In 1963 he participated as a collaborator in the album [https://www.discogs.com/release/5719630-Hugo-Blanco-Y-Su-Conjunto-Con-Simon-Diaz-Y-Graciela-Parranda-Criolla Parranda criolla], produced by Hugo Blanco. His first album as a solo artist [https://www.discogs.com/release/30475697-Sim%C3%B3n-D%C3%ADaz-Con-Hugo-Blanco-Y-Su-Conjunto-Ya-Lleg%C3%B3-Sim%C3%B3n Ya llegó Simón] was released in that same year. Throughout his career he recorded over 70 records{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/dailyplanet/stories/2006/1594824.htm |title=Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=The Daily Planet |date=18 August 1998 |publisher=The Australian Broadcasting Corporation }} and CDs, and made innumerable performances.{{cite web|url=http://www.sincopa.com/traditional/artists2/simon_diaz.htm |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=The Guide to Venezuelan Music |publisher=Sincopa}} Lists details on 56 of Diaz's albums Díaz composed and authored the music & lyrics of "Caballo viejo", first released in 1980 (Venezuela) under the album titled "[https://www.discogs.com/master/1259546-Simon-Diaz-Golpe-Y-Pasaje Golpe y Pasaje]", Label Palacio de la Música. To date, the song has more than 300 covers from around the world. In 1987 it was recorded by the Gipsy Kings as the hit song "Bamboléo". Simón Díaz's compositions have been performed by artists such as "Roberto Torres", Plácido Domingo, Ray Conniff,Caballo Viejo recorded by Conniff in his album, Fantástico! 1983 Brazilian release CBS-138578 Julio Iglesias,{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6682012/a/Latinamente.htm |title=Julio Iglesias Latinamente - Bamboleo |accessdate=2009-10-27 |year=1989 |publisher=Sony Bmg/Columbia }} Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Gipsy Kings, Ivan Lins,{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3332|pure_url=yes}} |title=Ivan Lins - Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |publisher=AllMusic.com }} Joyce,{{cite web|url=http://www.sincopa.com/traditional/cdinfo2/simondiaz_graciasimon.htm |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |year=2002 |work=Gracias Simón |publisher=Latin World }}Joyce. Ivan Lins, Cheo Feliciano Cheo Feliciano,{{cite web |url=http://www.passiondiscs.co.uk/e_pages/salsa_e/cd00111.htm |title=Simn Diaz - Gracias |access-date=2009-10-27 |last=Steward |first=Sue |work=World Music journalist |publisher=Passion Music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905080458/http://www.passiondiscs.co.uk/e_pages/salsa_e/cd00111.htm |archive-date=2008-09-05 }} Joyce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Cheo Feliciano, Luis Enrique, Danny Rivera, Ivan Lins, Joan Manuel Serrat Juan Gabriel, María Dolores Pradera,{{cite web |url=http://www.allcollection.net/~x3725060 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220173852/http://www.allcollection.net/~x3725060 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-20 |title=María Dolores Pradera / Habaneras de Cadiz / El becerrito |access-date=2009-10-27 |publisher=1986 SERDISCO }}Pradera performs El becerrito, written by Simon Diaz Tania Libertad,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000039WO |title=Amar Amando |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=Tania Libertad |publisher=T.H. Rodven }}Libertad performs Caballo Viejo on her album Amar Amando Ry Cooder{{cite web|url=http://www.globalrhythm.net/WorldMusicCDReviews/GreaterLatinAmerica/SIMONDIAZ.cfm |title=Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=Global Rhythm |publisher=globalrhythm.net }}Celia Cruz, Plácido Domingo, Ry Cooder and the Gipsy Kings and Devendra Banhart{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Sim%C3%B3n+D%C3%ADaz |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |publisher=Last.fm }}
Díaz also performed in theater, motion pictures and television. In the 1960s he became a comedian in Venezuela. He had the leading role in three plays, and participated in films such as Cuentos para mayores (1963), Isla de sal (1964),{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186245/|title=Isla de sal (1964)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2009-10-23}} El reportero (1968),{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060892/|title=El reportero (1968)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2009-10-23}} La bomba (1975), Fiebre (1976), La invasión (1977) y La empresa perdona un momento de locura (1978). He produced and hosted 12 different TV shows, all of them devised to promote Venezuelan music. One of these shows, Contesta por tío Simón, aired on Venezolana de Television for over 10 years and was devoted to teaching popular culture to children. It was during this time that Díaz's viewers began calling him "tío Simón" (uncle Simón).{{cite web|url=http://www.gkcaracas.um.dk/da/menu/Eksportraadgivning/Markedsmuligheder/SidsteNyt/HonoraryLatinGrammyAwardForSimonDiaz.htm |title=Honorary Latin Grammy Award for Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-24 |publisher=Udenrigsministeriet }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}File:El Perfil de otro gran Simón.jpg
Death
After battling Alzheimer's disease for many years, his daughter, Bettsimar Díaz García, announced that he died at his home in Caracas on 19 February 2014. Following his death, the Venezuelan Government announced three days of national mourning, and a concert to celebrate his life on 23 February 2014. He was buried on 21 February 2014 at the Cementerio General del Este in Caracas.
Awards and recognition
Simón Díaz was awarded the highest recognition conferred by the Venezuelan state, "The Great Ribbon of the Liberator's Order". He was given honorary doctorate degrees by two major Venezuelan universities, Simón Rodríguez University and Zulia's Universidad Católica Cecilio Acosta.{{cite news|url=http://el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=m/1/207/Yo%20reportero/Doctorado-Honoris-Causa-en-M%C3%BAsica-al-maestro-Sim%C3%B3n-D%C3%ADaz&id=92091|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107201514/http://el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=m/1/207/Yo%20Reportero/Doctorado-Honoris-Causa-en-M%C3%BAsica-al-maestro-Sim%C3%B3n-D%C3%ADaz&id=92091|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-01-07|title=Doctorado Honoris Causa en Música al maestro Simón Díaz|last=Finol|first=David|date=2009-07-29|work=El Nacional|accessdate=2009-10-23}}
The Latin American TV channel A&E MUNDO produced a documentary dedicated to Díaz under its “Biography” program, honoring his many contributions to Venezuelan culture, the program began airing in September 2004.{{cite web |url=http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/simon_diaz/en_US |title=Simon Diaz |access-date=2009-10-24 |work=National Geographic Music |publisher=NationalGeographic.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309190639/http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/simon_diaz/en_US |archive-date=2010-03-09 }}"His most celebrated songs include "Caballo Viejo", which became a smash hit in a crossover genre known as charanga vallenata, and "Bamboleo", recorded by the Gipsy Kings and Celia Cruz. His works have been performed and recorded by a who's whom of international music, from Plácido Domingo to Ivan Lins. Well into his 70s, Diaz maintains an active artistic life, and continues his performing and touring career with appearances throughout Latin America and the United States, including a slated performance in 2006 at Carnegie Hall."
On September 30, 2008, the Latin Grammy Awards announced that they would honor Díaz with a Lifetime Achievement Award, (El Premio del Consejo Directivo).{{cite web|url=http://www.latingrammy.com/en/press/14-artists-to-receive-the-2008-latin-recording-academy-lifetime-achievement-award |title=Artists to Receive the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award |accessdate=2009-10-23 |work=Latin Grammy |publisher=Latin Grammy.com}} Díaz was awarded the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Trustees Award, presented by Venezuelan salsa singer Oscar D'León.
In 2012, he received the National Prize of Culture (Premio Nacional de la Cultura), in the category of music, by the Venezuelan Ministry of Culture for his work in Venezuelan llanos music, particularly the tonada and traditional milking songs.{{Cite web |last=ztgroupcorp |date=2012-08-01 |title=▷ Simón Díaz recibe Premio Nacional de Cultura |url=https://www.elimpulso.com/2012/08/01/simon-diaz-recibe-premio-nacional-de-cultura/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=El Impulso |language=es}}
Discography
| class="wikitable" |
| Serie
! Title ! Label ! Year |
|---|
| LP 6124
| Parranda Criolla | Palacio | 1963 |
| LP 6128
| Lila + Hugo + Simón: Música de la Película "Isla de Sal" | Palacio | 1963 |
| LP 6136
| ¡Ya Llegó Simón! | Palacio | 1963 |
| LP 6146
| De Parranda con Simón | Palacio | 1964 |
| LP 6154
| Criollo y Sabroso | Palacio | 1965 |
| LP 6181
| Caracha Negro | Palacio | 1966 |
| LP 6194
| Gaitas y Parrandas con Simón | Palacio | 1967 |
| LP 6221
| Simón En Salsa... En Gaita | Palacio | 1968 |
| LP 6253
| Simón' 69 | Palacio | 1969 |
| LP 6273
| Artistas Venezolanos Solamente | Palacio | |
| LP 6275
| Gaita 70 | Palacio | 1970 |
| LP 6297
| Simon 71 | Palacio | 1971 |
| LPS 66299
| Tonadas | Palacio | 1974 |
| L.P.S. 109
| Navidad Criolla con el Quinto Criollo | Palacio/Guarura | 1979 |
| LPS 66333
| La Gaita de las Cuñas: El Candidato Chévere ¡Vota por Él! | Palacio/H.B | 1973 |
| LPS 66345
| Las Gaitas de Simón: Enemigo Público N°1 | Palacio/H.B | 1974 |
| LPS 66363
| Las Gaitas de Simón: Culpable? | Palacio/H.B | 1975 |
| LPS 66384
| Tonadas Vol.2 | Palacio | 1976 |
| LPS 66383
| Las Gaitas de Simón: Cuñas, Locas, Borrachitos | Palacio/H.B | |
| LPS 66406
| Las Gaitas de Simón | Palacio/H.B | 1977 |
| LPS 66407
| Canciones Criollas Vol.3 | Palacio | 1978 |
| LPS 66430
| Canciones y Tonadas Vol.4 | Palacio | 1978 |
| LPS 66479
| Golpe y Pasaje: Caballo Viejo | Palacio | 1980 |
| LPS 66483
| Música Folklórica y Popular de Venezuela en Contrapunto | Palacio | |
| LPS 66508
| Tonadas Favoritas | Palacio | |
| LPS 66591
| Sus Grandes Éxitos | Palacio | |
| LPS 2058
| Amor Enguayabao | Palacio/Rodven | 1993 |
| LPS 2067
| Cuenta y Canta Vol.1 | Palacio | |
| LPS 2068
| Cuenta y Canta Vol.2 | Palacio | |
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0246743}}
- [http://simondiaz.com/ Simón Díaz Official Website]
- {{in lang|es}} [https://tucuatro.com/es/cancion/compositor/simon-diaz/ Simón Díaz Biography] — TuCuatro
- {{in lang|es}} [https://tucuatro.com/es/canciones/las-canciones-de-simon-diaz-letras-y-acordes-para-cuatro/ Simon Diaz Songs, Lyrics and Chords] — TuCuatro
- {{in lang|en}} [https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38999680080&ref=mf Lets bring Simón Díaz to the 2009 Grammy]—Facebook group
- {{in lang|es}} [https://musica.llanera.com/simon-diaz/61/37 Simón Díaz music]
- {{in lang|es}} [https://ramosflamerich.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/palabras-para-simon/ Palabras para Simón - Lo afirmativo venezolano]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diaz, Simon}}
Category:Deaths from dementia in Venezuela
Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease
Category:Venezuelan male composers
Category:Venezuelan folk singers
Category:Venezuelan songwriters
Category:Venezuelan-cuatro players
Category:Latin music songwriters