The Colombian composer Jorge Villamil Cordovez, died last February 28 in Bogotá at the age of 80. He was author of more than 200 songs that became part of the national traditions in music. Villamil was born in El Cedral, a ranch near the city of Neiva in 1929. He studied medicine in the Javeriana University of Bogotá. In 1976 he abandoned his profession as a doctor and dedicated the rest of his years as a composer.
His productivity as an artist included almost all the musical Colombian genres like Guabina, Bambuco, Sanjuanero, Pasillo, Caña, Pasaje Llanero, Vallenato, Vals, Bolero, Cumbia, Porro, Rajaleña and Pasaje.
In 1962 he wrote Espumas (Foams), a song that became his classic:
Amores que se fueron
Am
amores peregrinos
D7
amores que se fueron
G
dejando en el alma negros torbellinos.
Igual que las espumas
G7 C
que lleva el ancho río
Am G
se van tus ilusiones
D7 G
que son destrozadas por el remolino.
Loves that went away / Pilgrims loves / Loves that went away / leaving in the soul dark whirlwind / The same that the foams / that are brought by the river / like this your illusions go / and they are destroyed in the swirl…
Villamil was also one of the founders of the famous National Festival of Bambuco in Neiva. He founded also the Society of Colombian Authors and Composers (Sayco). He loved Colombia and composed songs for most of the regions. His name belongs to the national identity.
To have pass away is not true, because at any time when we enjoy his music here or there or any where, Jorge Villamil will be very much alive in our hearts, as it happens with all the great composers, like Frederic Chopin, that but date, today we are celebrating two hundred years of his birth.