Rafael Hernández Marín (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965) was a Puerto Rican songwriter and the author of hundreds of popular songs in the Latin American repertoire. He specialized in Cuban styles, such as the canción, bolero and guaracha. Among his most famous compositions are "Lamento Borincano,” "Capullito de alhelí,” "Campanitas de cristal,” "Cachita,” "Silencio,” "El cumbanchero,” "Ausencia,” and "Perfume de gardenias.”

Career

Early years

Rafael Hernández Marín was born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, into a poor family, on October 24, 1892. His parents were María Hernández Marín and Miguel Angel Rosa, though he was given only his mother's surname. As a child, he learned the craft of cigar making, from which he made a modest living. He also grew to love music and asked his parents to permit him to become a full-time music student. When he was 12 years old, Hernández studied music in San Juan, under the guidance of music professors Jose Ruellan Lequenica and Jesús Figueroa. He learned to play many musical instruments, including the clarinet, tuba, violin, piano, and guitar. At 14, he played for the Cocolia Orquestra. Hernández moved to San Juan where he played for the municipal orchestra under the director Manuel Tizol. In 1913, Hernández begot his first child, Antonio Hernández (out of wedlock), to Ana Bone.

World War I and the Orchestra Europe

thumb|Rafael Hernández (left) with his brother Jesús during World War I, c. 1917.

In 1917, Hernández was working as a musician in North Carolina, when the United States entered World War I. The jazz bandleader, James Reese Europe, recruited brothers Rafael and Jesús Hernández, along with 16 more Puerto Ricans, to join the United States Army's Harlem Hell fighters musical band, the Orchestra Europe. He enlisted and was assigned to the U.S. 369th Infantry Regiment (formerly known as the 15th Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard, created in New York City June 2, 1913). The regiment, nicknamed "The Harlem Hell Fighters,” by the Germans, served in France. Hernández toured Europe with the Orchestra Europe. The 369th was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for battlefield gallantry by the President of France.

Hernandez and Pedro Flores, Life in Cuba and Mexico

After World War I ended, he returned to the United States in 1919. Hernández began a long and intense period of artistic composition and performance. He was part of the Lucky Roberts Band, with which he made his first musical tour of the United States. Later, he moved to Cuba, where he directed the Fausto Theater orchestra in Havana. Later on, Hernández moved to New York City. In 1925, On September 2, 1927, Hernández's sister, Victoria, opened Casa Hernandez, a music store which also acted as a booking agency and base of operations for her brother. (also known as "Rockfort Rock" or "Comanchero" (sic) to reggae aficionados), "Ese soy yo" (That's Me), "Perfume de Gardenias" (Gardenia's Perfume), "Silencio" (Silence), and "Tú no comprendes" (You Don't Understand), among 3,000 others. Many of his compositions were strongly based on Cuban musical idioms, such as the guaracha's "Cachita" and "Buchipluma na' ma,” which were often mistaken as songs by Cuban authors. His music became an important part of Puerto Rican culture.

Later years and death

Hernández was Honorary President of the Authors and Composers Association. He was also the founder of little league baseball in Puerto Rico. President John F. Kennedy christened him "Mr. Cumbanchero".

In 1969, Puerto Rican actor Orlando Rodriguez played Hernandez in the bio-pic El Jibarito Rafael, which was directed by the Mexican actor Julián Soler.

In 1999, Hernández was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

On March 23, 2001, Casa Hernandez, the music store which served as Hernandez's booking agency and base of operations, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, reference #01000244, as "Casa Amadeo, antigua Casa Hernandez".

In 2014, Rafael Hernández was posthumously inducted to the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Rafael Hernández was posthumously inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.

Interpreters

Notable interpreters include Los Panchos, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Xavier Cugat, Perez Prado, Percy Faith an Olga Guillot.

Military decorations and awards

Among Hernández's military decorations are the following:

  • 60px  French Croix de guerre
  • 60px  World War I Victory Medal

See also

  • African immigration to Puerto Rico
  • List of Puerto Ricans
  • Puerto Ricans in World War I
  • Puerto Rican songwriters

References

  • DVD La Musica de Rafael Hernandez (BPPR 1965)
  • Legran Orchestra "El Cumbanchero" Salsa Mp3· ISWC T-0425394622
  • Rafael Hernández recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings.