Gabino Ezeiza

Gabino Ezeiza
Background information
Birth nameGabino Ezeiza
Born(1858-02-03)February 3, 1858
Buenos Aires
DiedOctober 12, 1916(1916-10-12) (aged 58)
Buenos Aires[1]
GenresPayada
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar

Gabino Ezeiza, nicknamed El Negro Ezeiza[2] (February 3, 1858 – October 12, 1916), was an Argentine musician. Ezeiza was one of the greatest performers in the art of the payada. He became renowned, both in his native land and in Uruguay, after a memorable encounter with Oriental payador Juan de Nava, who carried at the time a certain halo of invincibility. This celebrated contest was held in the city of Paysandú on July 23, 1884, in front of one of the largest crowds ever to gather for a payada duel (in Argentina July 23 is established as the "Day of the Payador" in commemoration of this event).[3]

Ezeiza was eventually proclaimed the winner with the improvisation of his famous "Saludo a Paysandú". A recording of this song is the only existing record of Ezeiza's voice.[4] He went on to become one of the greatest payadores in the history of the art form (alongside, amongst others, Santos Vega). He was also well known for his sense of humor.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 100a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ El negro Gabino Ezeiza, payador de los comités on Yrigoyen.com.ar
  3. ^ "La famosa payada que dio origen al Día del Payador" Ministry of Culture of Argentina
  4. ^ "Saludo a Paysandú" by Gabino Ezeiza on FolkCloud