Colombian music stars who deceased at age 70

Here are 4 famous musicians from Colombia died at 70:

Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas

Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas (March 23, 1830 Zipaquirá-August 5, 1900 Paris) otherwise known as Santiago Pérez de Manosalba, Santiago Perez de Manosalba or Santiago Pérez was a Colombian lawyer, writer, journalist and teacher.

Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas was born in Zipaquirá, a small town in Colombia. He began his studies at the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Bogotá, where he later became a professor of Philosophy and Mathematics. Pérez de Manosalbas also studied law at the Universidad del Rosario and obtained his degree in 1853.

Throughout his career, Pérez de Manosalbas worked as a journalist and writer for various newspapers and magazines, including El Heraldo, La Patria, and El Mosaico. His writing focused on a range of topics, including politics, literature, and education.

Pérez de Manosalbas was also involved in politics, serving as a member of the Chamber of Representatives and participating in the drafting of the Colombian Constitution of 1886. He was an advocate for education reform and believed in the importance of providing access to education to all Colombians, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Despite his successes in Colombia, Pérez de Manosalbas eventually left for Paris, where he lived out the rest of his life. He continued to write and publish work, including his book "Esquisses et Etudes", a collection of essays on a variety of topics.

Overall, Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas was an influential figure in Colombian intellectual and political circles, known for his advocacy for education and his contributions to Colombian literature and journalism.

Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas also played a role in the development of Colombian culture through his involvement in various organizations. He was a member of the Colombian Academy of History, the Colombian Academy of Language, and the Colombian Academy of Jurisprudence. In addition, he founded the literary magazine El Mosaico, which provided a platform for young Colombian writers to showcase their work.

Pérez de Manosalbas was also known for his translations of works from French and English into Spanish. He translated Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables" and Oliver Goldsmith's "The Good-Natured Man" into Spanish, among other works.

In recognition of his contributions, Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas was honored with various awards, including the Cross of the Legion of Honor from the French government. Today, he is remembered as a pioneering figure in Colombian literature and education, whose legacy continues to inspire generations of Colombian intellectuals.

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Alejo Durán

Alejo Durán (February 9, 1919 El Paso-November 15, 1989 Montería) also known as Gilberto Alejandro Durán Diaz or El Negro Grande was a Colombian composer, accordionist and singer.

He was considered one of the most important figures in Colombian vallenato music, a traditional form of folk music from the Caribbean region of Colombia. Durán started his career at a young age, performing in local festivals and parties. He gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with hits such as "La Gota Fría" and "Festival en Guararé". His music blended elements of African and indigenous rhythms with Spanish-influenced melodies. In addition to his musical contributions, Alejo Durán was praised for his efforts to promote and preserve traditional Colombian music. He was posthumously inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.

Durán hailed from a humble background in the town of El Paso, located in the northern department of Cesar, Colombia. He was the son of María Francisca Díaz and Eleazar Durán. His family was poor, and as a result, he never received a formal education. Instead, he spent most of his childhood working in his family's farm or tending to cattle.

Durán's musical abilities were evident from a young age. He would often entertain his neighbors and friends with his singing and accordion-playing skills. In his teenage years, he travelled throughout the region, performing in small towns and villages. He eventually settled in the city of Valledupar, where he became a regular performer at local music venues.

Durán's big break came in the 1960s when his song "La Gota Fría" became a major hit across Colombia. The song's catchy melody and lively rhythm made it an instant classic. Durán's popularity soared, and he became a household name throughout the country. He went on to record several albums and performed in numerous concerts across Latin America.

In addition to his music career, Durán was a fervent supporter of traditional Colombian music. He believed that vallenato was an integral part of the country's cultural heritage and should be preserved for future generations. He helped organize several music festivals and mentored young musicians.

Durán's legacy continues to this day. Many of his songs have been covered by other artists, and his influence on vallenato music is still felt throughout Colombia and beyond.

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Eleo Pomare

Eleo Pomare (October 20, 1937 Santa Marta-August 8, 2008 Manhattan) was a Colombian personality.

Eleo Pomare was a famed American dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher. He was considered as one of the pioneers of modern dance in the 1960s and 1970s. Pomare was known for his intense, dramatic and highly emotional performances that often tackled themes of racism, oppression, and social injustice. Throughout his career, he had established several dance companies and toured widely across the US and Europe, winning critical acclaim for his bold choreography and performances. Apart from dance performance, Pomare had also taught dance at various institutions such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, leaving a lasting impact on the dance world.

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Eleo Pomare moved to New York City at a young age and started his dance career under the mentorship of some of the most prominent dancers and choreographers of the time, including Martha Graham and Pearl Primus. Pomare's style was characterized by its sharp movements, athletic leaps, and powerful expression, which challenged the conventions of traditional dance forms. He often used social and political issues as the basis of his work, creating provocative pieces that addressed topics such as racism, poverty, and war. In addition to his choreography and teaching, Pomare was also an advocate for the inclusion of African-American dancers in mainstream dance companies, and he worked tirelessly to promote diversity and representation in the dance world. Today, he is remembered as a pioneering figure in modern dance, whose contributions continue to inspire dancers and audiences alike.

He died in cancer.

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Carlos Ramírez

Carlos Ramírez (August 4, 1916 Tocaima-December 12, 1986 Miami) otherwise known as Carlos Ramirez, Carlos Ramirez and His Dancing Senoritas, Carlos Julio Ramírez, Carlos Julio Ramirez or Ramírez, Carlos Julio was a Colombian actor and singer.

He was best known for his acting roles in Hollywood films such as "The Gay Ranchero" and "Casbah" in the 1940s. Ramirez was also a successful recording artist, with hits such as "La Paloma" and "Maria Elena" that helped popularize Latin music in the United States. He began his career as a singer in Colombia in the 1930s before moving to the United States to pursue his career as an entertainer. Ramirez continued to perform in both film and music throughout his career, becoming a beloved figure in the Latino entertainment community. He passed away at the age of 70 in Miami, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the pioneers of Latin music and film in America.

In addition to his acting and singing career, Carlos Ramirez was also a talented dancer and performer, known for his charismatic and energetic stage presence. Throughout his career, Ramirez collaborated with many notable artists, including Duke Ellington and Xavier Cugat, and he was a frequent performer on popular radio and television programs. In 1953, Ramirez was honored with the prestigious Golden Key to the City of Miami, recognizing his contributions to the arts and his role in promoting Latin culture in the United States. Despite his success, Ramirez faced challenges as a Hispanic performer in Hollywood, including discrimination and limited opportunities. He was an advocate for representation and equal treatment of Latin performers in the entertainment industry. Ramirez's impact on Latin music and culture continues to be felt today, inspiring generations of performers who have followed in his footsteps.

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