Alvaro Carrillo

Álvaro Carrillo Alarcón, born in San Juan Cacahuatepec, Oaxaca, left us a legacy of over 300 compositions, many of them boleros that became classics. His music, full of romanticism, has resonated through decades, being performed by a large number of artists. From a young age, Carrillo showed an inclination for poetry and music, discovering his talent for the guitar and developing an ear for the diverse melodies that surrounded him in his native land. It was in 1940, while studying at the National School of Agriculture in Chapingo, where he unleashed his creativity, composing his first pieces. After graduating as an Agronomist Engineer in 1945, he decided to set aside engineering to dedicate himself fully to his passion for composition.

The career of Álvaro Carrillo was tragically cut short in a car accident on April 3, 1969. However, his work continued to live on, consolidating itself as a pillar of Mexican romantic music. Artists of the caliber of Luis Miguel have revived his songs, including them in highly successful albums such as Romance (1990) and Romances (1997), which featured tracks like La Mentira and Sabor a mí. The depth and feeling of his compositions have made many Mexican musicians know his songbook by heart, and figures such as Javier Solis, Pepe Jara, and the Trio Los Santos have been notable performers of his repertoire.