Pepe Jaramillo

Pepe Jaramillo (born José Jaramillo García; born October 27, 1921, Lerdo, Durango, Mexico; died April 30, 2001, Andalucía, Spain) was a notable Mexican pianist, composer, arranger, and recording artist. He was most active in London as an EMI recording artist in the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Lerdo, Durango, he began his professional music career playing in night clubs in Mexico City. Relocating to London, England, in his thirties, his many recordings and acclaimed concert appearances brought him international fame. At the age of 79, Jaramillo died of anemia in his sleep at his villa in Andalusia, Spain. Online, and within other sources, Jaramillo has often been confused with an Ecuadorean singer of the same name.

Biography

Early life and career in Mexico

Both of Jaramillo's parents were originally from the state of Chihuahua, having relocated to Lerdo, Durango in 1908, the year he was born. Pepe's father was Vicente Baca Jaramillo and his mother was Doña Enriqueta García. He also had a sister and three brothers. Jaramillo's sister's piano-playing inspired the then-four-year-old to teach himself to play the instrument, largely by ear. His family soon arranged for private lessons with a local teacher, and Jaramillo later continued his private lessons with the director of the Mexican Conservatory of Music. In spite of his musical gifts, his family urged him to still have a back-up plan within a more stable profession. Thus, after studying dentistry for a frustrating two years, Jaramillo completed his higher education at the Academia de Negocios de Milton (Milton Business Academy), México City; he also devoted himself to learning English, French, Italian and Portuguese.

After a successful three-year term at the Ritz, Jaramillo was subsequently employed by friends who had opened the Quid Grill, a restaurant and bar. In turn, it was these friends' Hollywood actor friends who proved to be instrumental in introducing Jaramillo to the mainstream media, beginning in Mexico City; he also became highly sought after as an accompanist for visiting and touring vocalists and other musicians. Not to be overlooked is the fact that Pepe Jaramillo expanded his repertoire from traditional Latin American songs to one which included Broadway show tunes, music from movie soundtracks, and other popular songs of the day (all arranged to reflect authentic Latin American rhythms). In regard to the popularity of Pepe's authentic dance rhythms among dancers, "Peggy Spencer, the well known British dance teacher and formation team coach, [said] 'You haven't lived if you haven't danced to Pepe Jaramillo.'"

Personal life and recognition

When he was not working or staying in London, Pepe Jaramillo spent his free time at his villa Las higueras (The Fig Trees) on the Costa del Sol in Spain. He enjoyed swimming, tennis, and painting. return visit to his hometown, gave several concerts, and donated a piano to the local Casa de la Cultura. states that Pepe Jaramillo recorded more than 30 LPs, mostly in the UK, but several in Japan, Colombia, and one [new release] in Mexico for Columbia Records...and that the EMI family of labels distributed his music worldwide. (10-inch album) 195? – Música de Gonzalo Curiel, Vol. 2, Discos Columbia de México, DCL-114, México In addition to the two Japanese LP recordings listed below, three of his UK releases were also published in Japan. At least nine compilation albums (two CDs) have been published in Japan.

1959 – Mexico Tropicale, Parlophone, PMC-1080, UK / Parlophone, PMEO-9434, Australia 1965 – Pepe at the Movies, Parlophone, PMC-1245 (mono) & PCS-3065 (st.), UK / and in both versions by Parlophone, Australia & SX-6036 (mono), UK / World Record Club SLZ-8103, New Zealand 1966 – Carnival in Mexico, Columbia, Studio 2 Stereo TWO-147, 1973 – This Is Pepe Jaramillo, EMI, Studio 2 Stereo EMSS-3, LP Sampler, UK / and EMI, Studio 2 Stereo, SPMEO-10142, Australia 1976 – Golden Double 32, EMI, EMS-65031-32, 2xLP, Japan 1977 – Carioca, EMI Italiana, 3C 062-07041, LP, Italy 1982 – Romantic Rhythms, Music for Pleasure, MFP-55016, 2xLP, UK 1986 – An Evening With Pepe Jaramillo, EMI, EMS-1091, 2xLP, UK / Also published in 1988 by budget label Music for Pleasure, DL-1090. n.d. – Best 20, EMI, EMS-90038, LP, Japan n.d. – Latin Fiesta, Angel Records, ASP-1002, LP, Japan n.d. – Magic Latin, Angel Records, HV-1049, LP, Japan n.d. – The Breeze and I, Odeon, OW-6064, LP, Japan

Compilation albums (CD) Although several CDs were released during Pepe's lifetime, all of the albums in this section are composed of previously recorded tracks. One 2011 release is digital version of 1959 EP.

1988 – Best Now, EMI, CP32-9038, CD, Japan 1997 – Shoji Yokoughi, Pepe Jaramillo, & Claude Ciari – Mr Guitar & Friends, by WRD Music, WRCD-5019, UK (CD) 1999 – Mexican Tijuana / Mexican Gold, EMI Digital/Parlaphone, CD #0724349613557, UK 2001 – Pepe Jaramillo, EMI, The CD Club #0467900101S, Japan 2006 – Moonlight in Mexico / Pepe Meets Manuel, EMI Vocation, CD #4036, UK 2011 – Cafe Bolero, Vintage Music No. 286, CD 2011 – Latin American Rhythm, Vintage Music, CD (misspelled "Rithm" in ads) 2011 – Majia Mexicana, Vintage Music No.146, CD 2011 – Mexico Tropical, Vintage Music No.141, CD (from EP) 2012 – Salud Pepe, Jasmine Music, CD #604988019322 2012 – Holidays in Italy, Vintage Music, CD (same track listing as Mexican Pizza) 2014 – The Latin Piano, Vintage Music, CD 2014 – Al sur de la frontera, Fonotron-Efen Records, CD EFE-1330, Spain (Not a compilation. Re-mastered and re-released edition of 1960 LP, South of the Border.) 2014 – Latin World: Piano & Coffee, Vintage Music, CD

Singles (45rpm)

1960 – "Fruit Salad" / "Ring Ding" – Parlophone R-4666, UK 1962 – "Maria" / "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top" – Parlophone R-4965, UK 1962 – "Adios" / "Sway" – Odeon 0-22-125, Germany 1964 – "The Little Sparrow of Paris" / "The Love of My Life" – Parlophone R-5196, UK / and Parlophone R-5196, India 1968 – "Mexico, Mexico, Mexico" / "Mexican Champagne" – Columbia DB-8467, UK 19?? – "Hernando's Hideaway" / "Hey There" – Odeon 006-04183, France

Extended Play (EP) The first release listed here was noted by Pepe Jaramillo's biographer as his "very first" recording. Certainly Mexico, prior to 1957, and possibly Disco Columbia de México.

195? – "Calla Tristeza" / "Incertidumbre" / "Dime" / "Sueño" – Unknown Label, México 1959 – Mexico Tropical, Odeon DSOE-16.305, Spain (from 1959 LP) 1960 – Majia Mexicana, Odeon DSOE 16.346, Spain 1962 – Mexico Tropicale, Parlophone EPEG-1001, India (from 1959 LP) 1962 – Latin American Cha Cha Cha, Parlophone GEP-8867, UK 1963 – Latin American Cha Cha Cha, Parlophone GEPO-8867, Australia 1963 – Latin American Rhythms, Parlophone GEP-8881, UK 1964 – Latin American Rhythms, Parlophone GEPO-8881, Australia 1964 – Pepe in Italy, Parlophone GEP-8919, UK / and Parlophone GEPO-8919, Australia 1964 – Latin American Beguines, Parlophone GEP-8896, UK / and Parlophone GEPO-8896, Australia 1965 – The Latin World of Pepe Jaramillo, Parlophone GEP-8944, UK / and Parlophone GEPO-8944, Australia 1965 – The Mexican Way, Parlophone, UK 1968 – Mexican Pizza, Odeon OP-4001, Japan 1983 – Rumbas / Cha Cha Chas, International Dance Teachers Association IDTA-59, UK 1983 – Sambas / Rumbas, International Dance Teachers Association IDTA-60, UK 1983 – Cha Cha Chas, International Dance Teachers Association IDTA-61, UK 1983 – Rumbas / Cha Cha Chas, International Dance Teachers Association IDTA-62, UK