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Pedro Maffia

Pedro Mario Maffia (August 28, 1899 – October 16, 1967) was an Argentine tango bandoneonist, bandleader, composer and teacher, as well as starring in several tango films.

The son of Italian immigrants Angelo V. Maffia and Luisa Spinelli from Lombardy, Maffia had a hard upbringing; he was beaten with a chain by his father and lived in dire poverty. He eventually ran away from home to live in the town of Punta Alta in Buenos Aires Province, where he was discovered by Carlos Gardel and José Razzano.

Maffia is remembered as a pioneer of the bandoneon and a great stylist. He was one of the first to play the instrument a cappella. He had a relaxed playing style and an inventiveness for misplaced accents and nuances.

Maffia starred in a number of tango films including ¡Tango! (1933), Canillita (1936) and Fueye querido (1966). He also worked as a music teacher, and wrote an important method of teaching the bandoneon.

The bandoneonist Aníbal Troilo dedicated a song to him entitled A Pedro Maffia.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 28, 1899 (Buenos Aires), Died October 16, 1967 (Buenos Aires)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, leader, bandoneón

Notes: Brother of bandoneon player and composer Angel Maffia. Often listed on Victor disc labels as "P. M. Maffia."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-62 of 62 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E30824 10-in. 9/30/1929 Te aconsejo que me olvides Orquesta Típica Osvaldo Fresedo ; Genaro Veiga Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Brunswick BA652 10-in. 1930 Reo noble Orquesta Típica Pedro Maffia Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick BA686 10-in. 1930 Rezongon Orquesta Típica Pedro Maffia Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick BA783 10-in. 1930 El matrero Luis Díaz ; Orquesta Típica Pedro Maffia Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick BA789 10-in. 1930 Rezongon Orquesta Típica Pedro Maffia Instrumental ensemble leader  
Brunswick BA792 10-in. 1930 Los ceibos del Parana Luis Díaz ; Orquesta Típica Pedro Maffia Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick BA795 10-in. 1930 Llorando la carta Orquesta Típica Pedro Maffia Instrumental ensemble leader  
Brunswick B14113 10-in. 10/4/1933 Berretines El Tango Romantico Instrumental ensemble composer  
Brunswick B14186 10-in. 10/20/1933 Cuando el mundo te arrincone : Tango canción Orquesta Típica Don Alberto Instrumental ensemble composer  
Odeon Ki 6915 10-in. approximately 1934 Taconeando Carlos Gardel Male vocal solo, with guitars composer  
Columbia (U.K.) L26 10-in. between May 1923 and December 1925 La preciosa Orchestre Tano Genaro Instrumental ensemble composer  
Columbia (U.K.) L38 10-in. between May 1923 and December 1925 Pobre gallo bataraz Orchestre Tano Genaro Instrumental ensemble composer  
(Results 51-62 of 62 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Maffia, Pedro," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112414.

Maffia, Pedro. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112414.

"Maffia, Pedro." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112414

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