16 Facts About Mario Escudero

Mario Escudero, was one of a handful of Spanish flamenco guitar virtuosos who, following on the footsteps of Ramon Montoya, helped spread flamenco beyond their Spanish homeland when they migrated to the United States in the early 1950s.

Mario Escudero did not make any more records after 1969, as a result of his long lasting dislike over what he considered to be ongoing unfair commercial practices on the use of his original recordings by some record companies.

Nevertheless, during this relatively brief 17 year period, Escudero made over 30 original long play records.

Mario Escudero died November, 19th 2004, in Miami, Florida, USA.

Mario Escudero was born in Alicante, Spain, on October 11,1928.

Mario Escudero's father, while not a soloist, was a guitar accompanist.

In 1952, Mario Escudero married Maria Amaya, with whom he had a son.

Mario Escudero eventually married his second wife, Anita Ramos, and the couple had three children.

Mario Escudero began to perform frequently with Carmen Amaya in early 1950, when he joined her to tour South America.

Mario Escudero joined Estrellita Castro and her "Romeria" show to perform at La Zarzuela Theater, and remained with her until May 1954.

Mario Escudero got up, went back stage, got a replacement guitar, and returned to complete the show to a standing ovation.

Mario Escudero performed again at Carnegie Hall, New York, with dancer Luisa Triana, and singer Chinin de Triana on June 9,1956.

The Spanish composer, Federico Moreno Torroba, based his "Fantasia Flamenca" for guitar and orchestra on his themes, and Mario Escudero premiered it at Carnegie Hall on November 28,1976, with the American Symphony Orchestra, Antonio Almeida conducting.

Mario Escudero recorded three albums of guitar duets with Sabicas:.

Mario Escudero liked the same two records he made with Sabicas.

Mario Escudero was fond of the ones he had made with ABC Paramount, and of the last double album he recorded with the Musical Heritage Society in 1969.