Félix Pérez Cardozo

Félix Pérez Cardozo (20 November 1908 – 9 June 1952) was a Paraguayan harpist and composer. After growing up and learning to play the harp in the Paraguayan countryside, he played in bands in Asunción and Buenos Aires, Argentina before forming his own group. He introduced Paraguayan music to a wider audience and gained public recognition and fame, particularly in Buenos Aires and the Río de la Plata area. He designed a thirty-six string harp for his song "Pájaro campana" (The Bell Bird), which would go onto become the most popular harp configuration.

Early life Pérez Cardozo was born in the small town of Hyaty in the Guairá Department, the son of Teodoro Pérez and Cándida Rosa Cardozo.

Career As is common among musicians of the Paraguayan countryside, Pérez Cardozo learned how to play the harp from other harpists, without seeking tutelage from any one master.

He was part of a paradigmatic trio, along with Ampelio Villalba and Diosnel Chase, consisting of one harp and two guitars. He received support from the poet Pedro José Carlés, with whom he traveled to the Paraguayan capital, Asunción, in 1928. At that time, they played at folk music festivals organized by Aristóbulo "Nonón" Domínguez in the "Teatro Granados", as well as in night clubs.

In 1931, Pérez Cardozo and his band left for Buenos Aires, Argentina, where most of his artistic career took place. They were the first one of Paraguay's most famous folk songs.

Perez Cardozo has been described as Paraguay's "most influential harpist-composer" and one of "wo of the most famous arpistas from Paraguay". The thirty-six-string harp that he designed has since become the most popular harp configuration. "Jataity" "Llegada" "Los 60 Granaderos" "Mi despedida" "Pájaro campana" (The Bell Bird), described as "one of his most celebrated concert pieces" also known as "Guyra campana"