Born in a family with marimbist tradition, Fidel Funes grew in a musical environment formed by his father and grandfather, a legacy that he continued until he became one of the greatest references of the Marimba Orchestra internationally.
It was in sU native the Tumbador, San Marcoswhere he received his first marimba lessons from the hand of his relatives. Being still a child, Fidel Maximiliano Funes Nolasco moved to his sister’s house in Guatemala City, where he sought to improve his technique while continued his school education in the night day.
At 16, He entered the National Conservatory of Music, where he studied for four years and stood out in solfeo and music history. His first teacher was Daniel Chacón, director of the Band Happy Boys, with whom he debuted at age 14.
In his classes he was referring to musicians such as Elías Blas, Fernando Matos and Alfonso Colindres, who taught him trumpet, piano and tumbadores, as details the YouTube channel Fidel Funes Retro.
Being young, began to integrate into large groups such as Woods that sing, Mayan India, Happy Boys and Continentalwhere he also debuted as a singer.
After his experience in different groups, Fidel Funes was called in 1979 by Léster Godínez to be part of the concert marimba of the General Directorate of Culture and Fine Arts, with which he recorded two long -term albums.
Read more: Fidel Funes: The Legacy of the Marimba Master Orchestra in Guatemala
From Indiana to Fidel Funes and his marimba orchestra
After being part of Checha and his Mayan IndiaFidel Funes sought to form his own group. Together with other musicians from San José Pinula, he created the orchestra Indianawith which he had an injured start.
As reported at the time Free press and Guatevisiónunder this name they recorded an album that led them to sound on the radio with songs such as Air house and The green lemonades. However, the success was interrupted by a lawsuit, since another group had already registered the name.
“Soon, a man arrived at my house and told me that the name of the group had him patented. In response, I offered to buy it, but did not want to. The thing is that we both entered into rebellion and, one day in 1980, the police arrived for me and put Pavón for improper use of the commercial name – there I spent about a month – ”, in 2015, he told in 2015 Free press.
In prison, a promoter and a representative of his house label proposed to change the name of the group to Fidel Funes and his marimba orchestrawhich agreed. Thus was born the great legacy that his group maintains until today.
Read more: the Lord of the Marimba
His first concert inspired him to follow
In his search for being a musician, he was questioned by his parents, who feared for his future. Despite this, Fidel Funes said his first presentation was what motivated him to continue.
“It was a Saturday in San José El Gulfo and they paid me Q12, while in the bakery I won Q15 per month. It was there that I realized that I could live on music, ”Fidel Funes recalled at that time.
After years of trajectory and international trips, Fidel Funes settled in the municipality of San Lucas Sacatepéquez, where he faced his kidney disease and lived until his last day.