Maria Teresa Vera

[maria59]

María Teresa Vera began her musical journey in 1911 and quickly became known in bohemian and "trova" circles. Encouraged by the renowned singer Manuel Corona to learn guitar, she formed a legendary duo with Rafael Zequeira, recording nearly 200 songs between 1914 and 1924, including hits like "A llorar a Papá Montero." In the mid-1920s, she founded the iconic Sexteto Occidente alongside Ignacio Piñeiro, playing a central role in shaping the “son a la habanera” style, which became highly popular.



After a brief hiatus for spiritual pursuits, Vera returned to music, forming a duo with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo that lasted over 25 years. Her influence continued to grow, and by the 1960s, she was celebrated as one of the pioneering voices of Cuban "trova." Her famous song Veinte años remains a timeless classic, covered by many of Cuba's greatest artists. How do you think the Afro-Cuban influence shaped her style and legacy in Cuban music?

 

[Richie Blondet]

María Teresa Vera began her musical journey in 1911 and quickly became known in bohemian and "trova" circles. Encouraged by the renowned singer Manuel Corona to learn guitar, she formed a legendary duo with Rafael Zequeira, recording nearly 200 songs between 1914 and 1924, including hits like "A llorar a Papá Montero." In the mid-1920s, she founded the iconic Sexteto Occidente alongside Ignacio Piñeiro, playing a central role in shaping the “son a la habanera” style, which became highly popular.

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After a brief hiatus for spiritual pursuits, Vera returned to music, forming a duo with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo that lasted over 25 years. Her influence continued to grow, and by the 1960s, she was celebrated as one of the pioneering voices of Cuban "trova." Her famous song Veinte años remains a timeless classic, covered by many of Cuba's greatest artists. How do you think the Afro-Cuban influence shaped her style and legacy in Cuban music?

Adding to ehst you wrote I feel.it should be noted to drive the point home that MTV is THE first prolific Cuban music recording performance artist of the 20th century. That's above the Tipicas and any other Male performance artists after 1910.

Sexteto Occidente was created by the Columbia Recording company as a marketing ploy to compete with 'Los Campeones del Son', SEXTETO HABANERO. These two music entities are who introduced the then-modern sound (Sexteto style) of Son Cubano to audiences in NYC via "live" performances at the original Apollo Theater in the Harlem area and by way of recordings (via Victor & Columbia).

MTV is also THE first to record religious expression on a 78 rpm in 1920.

Afro Cuban musical.hiants as Miguelito Valdes, Gracjela Perez and Machito are on audio record as stating Maria Teresa Vera was their greatest influence upon being asked who their primary inspiration was.

MTV isn't heralded enough.

 

[tresero]

Papa Montero is an interesting case. She didn't write the original from the research I have done, but she added to it. There are at least 4 versions of the song. It's been recorded many times, and I wish I could hear more of them to hear the differences. Next time I'm in Havana, I'll try to find some info from the Cuban Music Library and CIDMUC.

Highlights of early recordings:

In 1923 Pablito y Luna recorded a version that was credited to Gonzalez, that's all I have, no first name.
Also in 1923 Cuarto Cruz recorded a version of Papá Montero
In the same year MTV recorded Llorando a Papá Montero and Resurrección de Papá Montero,
In 1924 MTV recorded Papá Montero and Los funerales de Papá Montero
Also in 1924 Antonio María Romeu (AMR) recorded Papá Montero y La contesta a Papá Montero. If you look at the MTV version with Zequeira, it show AMR as the composer.

Before all of that though, Jaime Prats recorded both Papá Montero and Los funerales de Papá Montero which leads me to believe that MTV didn't write either. The credits I have seen show JP as the author of Los funerales de Papá Montero, but also Manuel Corona.

Pobre Papá Montero, Los funerales de Papá Montero were also teatro bufos, which is why I think there are so many versions and variations.

So I'm leaning towards AMR writing the original and some variations. But it's also very possible that it was a folkloric song (especially judging by the lyrics) and AMR just add/updated the music.

In case you want to see what is considered the original, here is the song from my Cuban Music Fakebook.

 

[Gaviota]

Anyone know when and with whom MTV recorded Lágrimas negras,

The video description says 1935, but it also talks about Sexteto Occidente, so I'm not quite sure how much to trust it. It's an RCA Victor single, which fits that time frame. No further trace of that release that I can find though.

 

[Gaviota]

It's the only recording of Lágrimas negras by María Teresa Vera that I can find. It shows up on various compilations, the earliest this one from 1961: https://www.discogs.com/release/32949861-María-Teresa-Vera-Evocando-El-Pasado-Volumen-1. The text on the back cover says (according to computer)

María Teresa Vera nació en Guanajay, el 6 de febrero de 1895, y desde muy joven se inclinó por la guitarra y el canto. Hacia 1911 ya había hecho sus primeras presentaciones en público, y su fama pronto se extendió por toda la Isla.


En 1918 formó el dúo con Rafael Zequeira, con quien grabó una buena cantidad de discos. Posteriormente actuó como solista, y más tarde formó parte del Sexteto Occidente, fundado por ella misma.


En 1925 organizó otro conjunto musical, y en 1935 un dúo con Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, que duró más de 27 años.


Entre sus composiciones más populares se encuentran "Veinte Años", "He Perdido Contigo", "Porqué me siento triste", entre muchas otras que quedaron grabadas en el corazón del pueblo cubano.


Esta recopilación de sus grabaciones más notables, muchas de ellas realizadas en los primeros años de su carrera, constituye un tesoro invaluable de la música popular cubana, y una joya para el coleccionista.


— BOBBY MARTÍNEZ

A different release of the same compilation on discogs says the whole LP is accompanied by Lorenzo Hierrezuelo y su Cuarteto, but that's not supported by artwork.

It seems quite likely to be in duo with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, which would match post-1935. It's strange that there's no trace of any RCA Victor recordings of María Teresa Vera from 1935 that I can find (or any other singles for that matter).

 

[Gaviota]

According to ecured.cu, she was under contract to varying radio stations in that post-1935 time span, so would make sense for the recordings of that timespan to not be released on single, and first appear on those ~1960 compilations. Counterpoint is that RCA Victor single in the video (not necessarily to be trusted but...)