Roberto Moya

Roberto Moya was a prominent Cuban guitarist and composer born in Santiago de Cuba, who during his years of splendor had the privilege of accompanying the renowned Argentine singer Carlos Gardel and working with him in the films El día que me quieras and El tango en Broadway.

He began his musical studies at an early age, and in 1923 he graduated as a guitar professor.

In 1928 he traveled to La Habana, along with Valeriano Daughterty and Pepe Figarola and performed at the Campoamor theater.

In 1932, with Raúl Domínguez, Jorge Mauri and Manuel Fontanals, he formed the quartet Trovadores Líricos, with which he made his first trip to New York, where he later joined the Argentine Carlos Spaventa, which led to his entry into the world of tango.

In 1933, he joined the group of accompanying guitarists for Carlos Gardel, working in the films Tango Bar, El día que me quieras and El tango en Broadway, in addition to many recordings.

From this period comes an anecdote told by Moya himself, which recounts how during presentations in New York one of Gardel's permanent musicians complained to him that he was paying a lot of money to the Cuban, and the great Carlitos responded: "Let him eat, these gringos are full of dollars."

Subsequently the Cuban musician moved to Colombia and settled there, first in Santa Marta, where he was hired to do some programs. He later moved to Barranquilla, where he organized the musical group for Radio Emisoras Unidas, to which he gave a Cuban style, which included guitar, piano, bongó, tumbadora and vocals.

In 1937 he returns to Cuba, and two years later he leaves on tour through South America.

In his native Santiago de Cuba he was a colleague of the famous author of El Carretero, Guillermo Portabales, in addition to dedicating himself to teaching guitar. Among his most memorable compositions are Labios de amapola, Mujer querida and Quisiera ser tu dueño, among others.

Finally, in 1946, he settles in his country, dedicating himself since then to teaching guitar. After the triumph of the Revolution he joins the faculty of the School of Art, continuing his performances as a guitarist and singer of traditional Cuban pieces. Among his compositions are "Labios de Amapola," "Mujer querida," "No intentes corazón," etc.

The renowned Cuban composer and guitarist Roberto Moya passed away in the Cuban capital.