Luis Kalaff
Luis Kalaff (October 11, 1916[1]-July 2, 2010[2]) was a Dominican singer, composer and guitarist.
Luis Kalaff | |
|---|---|
| Born | Luis Kalaff Pérez October 16, 1916 |
| Died | July 2, 2010 (aged 93) |
| Genres | merengue |
| Occupations | Singer, composer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1939-2010 |
Life and career
His father, Juan Kalaf, was of Lebanese origins. His mother was Bernavelina Perez.[1]
He joined the band "Los Alegeres Dominicanos" and at some time traveled to the United States. Through a contract with Peer International Corp. he had joined an American record label.[1] Ballroom Dance Magazine described him as being proficient in merengue music.[3] Deborah Pancini Hernández, author of Bachata: A Social History of a Dominican Popular Music, described him as "popular".[4]
In 1958 he moved to New York City.[5]
Kalaff used boogaloo and merengue as influences in his work. Other artists like Celia Cruz and Julio Iglesias began playing songs written by Kalaff.[5] The Dominican Studies Institute of City University of New York stated that Kalaff "popularized típico merengue in New York during the 1950s".[6] In 2000, Kalaff was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 "Luis Kalaf Pérez was a..." City University of New York Dominican Studies Institute. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2024-09-21 – via Facebook.
- ↑ Ramos, Jorge (2016-07-03). "A seis años de la partida de Luis Kalaff". Hoy. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ↑ Ballroom Dance Magazine Volume 1. 1960. p. 21 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Hernandez, Deborah Pancini (1995). Bachata A Social History of a Dominican Popular Music. Temple University Press. p. 57. ISBN 9781566393003.
- 1 2 "Narrative: 1960s: The Birth of Salsa and the Rise of a U.S. Dominican Mentality". Dominican Music USA. City University of New York. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ↑ "Genre Guide: Merengue". Dominican Music USA. City University of New York. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ↑ "International Latin Music Hall of Fame Announces Year 2000 Inductees". 1 March 2000. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.