Francisco Latorre Quilez
This warmhearted little man with a smiling face has inspired many harmonica
players in Spain. He could talk hours on end about the history of the harmonica and players
from all over the world. He was an extra ordinary harmonica player himself, and patron of
the Spanish Harmonica Society.
Founder and President of the Barcelona Harmonica Club.
He was a mechanic by profession and creator of the first harmonica method in his country.
Mr Fuster’s interview of Don Francisco Latorre:
F- When did you first started to play the harmonica?
L- I got my first harmonivca when I turned 6. I wrote a harmonica method "You want to
learn to play the harmonica? ".
This method, with all it`s simplicity, has learned the youth how to handle a harmonica,
with the same simplicity as we speak and whistle.
F- Tell us about the first harmonica club.
L- On October 1st, 1950, a few enthusiastic friends of the harmonica
held a meeting and decided to establish the first harmonica club. In the begining we
changed locations several times.
We now have a comfortable place in Mayor de Gracia N 81.
F- How many members does the club have now?
L- Around fifteen hundred.
F- What ages are the members?
L- Between 4 and 70 years.
F- Besides Barcelona, are there any other players in Spain?
L- Sure, there are many players all over Spain. Thanks also to our friend D. Dionisio Chiappo.
"Les Akkord" participated in the World Championships
in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1955 where they won first prize.
In 1956, after having organized the first National Harmonica Contest where "Trio
Hohner" from Premia del Mar was classified best of all, I took this trio to Rottherdam
(Holland), where the World Championships of 1956 were held, they became thirdl and solist
Jose Reguant reached the seventh place in his category.
F- Which province has the most enthusiasts?
L- Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Zaragoza, Murcia, Seville and a good part of the north.
F- In addition to the Barcelona Harmonica Club, are there any other clubs in Spain?
L- Club Armonica Valencia, Seville are very advanced and in various other places Harmonica
clubs are being established.
F- One more question; Is truth that you are considered as the patriarch of the harmonica
in Spain?
L- This is what others say about me.
F- It is not your profession?
L- No, I am a mechanic.
Undoubtedly the enthusiasm and the interest of Mr. Latorre are so great that he deserves the qualifcation of Patriarch of the Harmonica in Spain.
The formidable "Trio Marnhy".
By Joaquim Fuste Alcala’s "50 years of harmonicas in Spain"
Translated into English by Andres Vincente
Edited by Art M. Daane
These dynamic and symphathatic boys appeared in a "Monumental" bullfighting enclosure in
Barcelona with great success.
Juan, Vicente and Claudio are survivors of the famous "Borrah Minevitch Harmonica Rascals",
their performances were acclaimed in 1949 at the dance hall "Bahia".
Who doesn’t know and remember this sensational Barcelona set?
For authentic harmonica fans, those melodies will never be forgotten, and now, when we have
the occasion again to listen to harmonicas, it is an honour to applaud harmonica players of great
standards throughout the world.
"Trio Marnhy" performed with the exquisite "vedette" Gloria Lasso last June 27th. "Trio Marnhy" was very succesfull, and most interpretations were warmly awarded by the public.
The quality and virtuosity, great acrobatics and aptitude for their rhythm, were admired
with a tribute from the audience.
It was a little difficult meet with them in their dressing room, but we were able to meet
them in person, and had a great time talking to them and ask them some questions:
Joaquim: "What do you think of our public?"
Vicente: "The public was exceptional, they listened without any disturbance.
Joaquim was a member of "Les Akords", and today runs a music shop with his daughter and son-in-law in Barcelona.
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