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About this star
- Category: Recording
- Unveiled: 02 Mar 1983
- Star rank: 2294
- Address:
6779 Hollywood Blvd - Position: 3 tiles from the curb, facing west
- GPS location:
34.101673, -118.338122
Rafael Mendez
Biography
Rafael Mendez Album Cover
Source: Freebase
Rafael Méndez (March 26, 1906 – September 15, 1981) was a popular Mexican virtuoso solo trumpeter. Méndez was born in Michoacan, Mexico. As a young child, Méndez was the cornetist for Pancho Villa. His most famous recording, “Moto Perpetuo,” was written in the eighteenth century by Paganini for violin and features Mendez double tonguing continuously for over 4 minutes while circular breathing to give the illusion that he is not taking a natural breath while playing. From 1950 to 1975, Méndez was a full time soloist, performing as many as 125 concerts per year. He was also very active as a recording artist. Many of his recordings are now available on compact disc. Méndez was legendary for his tone, range and technique. Méndez’s playing was characterized by a brilliant tone, wide vibrato and clean, rapid articulation. His repertoire was a mixture of classical, popular, Mexican folk music and jazz.
Fact file
- Born: March 26, 1906
- Died: September 15, 1981 (Aged 75)
- Occupation: Trumpet Player
Read more about Rafael Mendez at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database
Hollywood Blvd, north side, between McCadden and Highland
Nearby you will also find Roseanne, Edgar Bergen, Bing Crosby, Lindsay Wagner, and many others.