MARIA ISABEL CARLOTA JARAMILLO

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

When we talk about Carlota Jaramillo, we are reminded of this great actress and singer who has left deep marks in traditional Ecuadorian music due to her unparalleled voice and her emotional interpretation that are a legacy for posterity. 

Although audio recordings of her were made during the decades between the 1930s and 1970s, she is still heard at family gatherings and she is a favourite among icons of past generations. Her life has been an example of will and determination to overcome the vicissitudes of life and the limitations imposed by the society of her time.

María Isabel Carlota Jaramillo Jaramillo, was born on July 9, 1904 in Calacalí, a parish located in the northwest of the Province of Pichincha. Her childhood took place in her native place with her family, which was engaged in agricultural production. She inherited her love for singing and artistic expressions from her maternal grandfather and her uncle Timoleon.

She studied at the Normal Manuela Cañizares in Quito where she graduated as a teacher. During this time in secondary school, she was able to receive private singing lessons from the lawyer and composer, Maestro Sixto María Duran, who had a decisive influence on the development of her vocal and interpretative qualities.

In 1922 she participated with her sister Inés in a Contest for amateurs at the Eden Theater and won the First Prize, which consisted of a guitar and a guindola. At an event of her graduation, she met the maestro Rafael Ramos Albuja, who invited her to be part of the "Operettas and Zarzuelas Company", of which, over time, she became the main actress, despite the opposition from their parents.

In 1926 she, along with "El gato" Jorge Araujo Chiriboga, a talented actor and musical composer, created the "Compañía de comedias  y variedades" (Comedy and varieties Company) where they were the first actors and singers. But it was the romance between them that caused a great scandal in Quito's conservative society.  Since Jorge Araujo was 12 years older than her and had another sentimental relationship. However, Carlota decided to marry him, ignoring all other people's opinions and eloping to Guayaquil where they got married in 1928.

Jorge Araujo made several compositions dedicated to our "Alondra de Quito" which were later recorded by her. Among all his creations, the song "Sendas distintas" (Different paths) stands out, where he poetically describes the age difference between him and his young wife.

 

Since 1938, the couple, together with other artists of their time, made a series of presentations on Radio "El Prado" in Riobamba and made recordings for the first time in our country.

This extraordinary interpreter of the national pentagram offered hundreds of presentations on the main radio stations and at different events inside and outside the country where she won the hearts of her audience and a special place in the history of national music. However, Carlota Jaramillo did not make a living from music and she combined her artistic career with teaching to be able to meet the needs of her home.

Our great Carlota has recorded in her entire career approximately 20 L.P. and her records have been reproduced in Latin America, the United States and France.

The "Reina del pasillo" died on December 10, 1987 at 83 years of age due to brain trauma caused by a fall.

Despite the fact that her musical production is not so extensive, her recordings have managed to establish themselves as the most classic way of interpreting the Ecuadorian pasillo. Her figure will always be present in our history and our culture, not only because of her artistic quality but also as an example of a woman who challenged the patriarchal power of society to live a life dedicated to love for her partner and for the art of music.

Compilation and text: Manuel E Ortega

Sources: Youtube, Wikipedia, Edupedia, Google, Ecuavisa, El Universo, Encyclopedia of Ecuador, Mandrágora Foundation, Genoveva Mora, El blog del pasillo.com.

Also, you are invited to watch a video dedicated to Carlota Jaramillo in our channels:

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