Died On This Date (June 30, 2008) Angel Tavira / Beloved Mexican One-Handed Violinist
themusicsover Angel Tavira
July 3, 1924 – June 30, 2008
Angel Tavira was a beloved Mexican violinist who lost his right hand to an exploding firecracker when he as a child. But he had been playing the saxophone, guitar, bass and violin, learning by ear. Even after the accident, Tavira continued on with the violin. He was also an acclaimed composer of son calentano, a traditional form of music from the state of Guerrero. When Tavira was 81, was cast as a farmer musician in the Felix Salgado Mendocino film, El Violin. A year later, he won the Best Actor award at Cannes even though he had never had any formal training. Angel Tavira died of kidney problems in 2008.
Thanks to Craig over at Number1Albums for the assist.
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