Trio Matamoros
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Founder | Miguel Matamoros, Rafael Cueto, Siro Rodríguez |
| Defunct | May 1961 |
| Headquarters | Santiago de Cuba , Cuba |
| Products | Bolero, son music recordings and performances |
The Trío Matamoros was a Cuban trova ensemble established in 1925 by Miguel Matamoros (guitar), Rafael Cueto (guitar), and Siro Rodríguez (maracas and claves). Each member contributed as both vocalist and songwriter. Initially called Trio Oriental, the group adopted the name Trio Matamoros in 1928 after learning of another band using their original title.
Focusing primarily on bolero and son genres, Trío Matamoros embarked on extensive tours throughout Latin America and Europe, also recording sessions in New York. In 1940, Guillermo Portabales joined them for performances. During a Mexican tour, the trio expanded into Conjunto Matamoros, recruiting the young singer Beny Moré between 1945 and 1947. Their discography includes numerous 78 rpm records and LPs, with several later reissued on CD. The ensemble received widespread praise for their vocal harmonies and poetic lyricism.
Acknowledged as a significant influence in popularizing son music, the group underwent various transformations over nearly 40 years, evolving into quartets, septets, and orchestral formations.
Miguel Matamoros was a highly productive composer within Cuban son, creating classics such as "El que siembra su maíz," "Lágrimas negras," and "Son de la Loma." The trio maintained their collaboration for 35 years until their dissolution in May 1961; their last concert took place in New York the year prior.