Egidio Cuadrado, Carlos Vives' longtime accordionist and Vallenato icon, dies at 71

Egidio Cuadrado, an icon of the Colombian music scene and longtime accordionist of Carlos Vives, has died at the age of 71. The vallenato star died of health complications related to pneumonia on Monday (October 21st) in Bogota.

“With deep sadness, Clínica Universitaria Colombia wishes to inform the public that the vallenato artist Egidio Cuadrado has died in our institution,” an official press release of La Clínica Universitaria Colombia. famous.

“Today we say goodbye to him, paying tribute not only to his career, but to the humble man who with his accordion made us part of his family, calling us all 'comrades and comrades, comrades and colleagues,'” said Vives. in a statement to Bulletin board. “Egidio Cuadrado, the same one who never left his vueltiao hat, his Arhuaca backpack and his 12 accordions, will forever remain in our hearts. yearning for that valenato song that pierced his noble heart and telling the world that life has the most meaning when a valenato king like him plays the accordion.'

Cuadraro was born in Villanueva, La Guajira and learned to play the accordion at the age of six. In the early 90s, he became part of Vives' tropical orchestra La Provincia, giving life to the tropical sound that combines the spirit of vallenato music with contemporary pop-rock melodies.

Embodying Colombian folk music, Cuadrado's artistry brought to life some of Vives' greatest albums, including 1995's La Tierra del Olvido. In 2021, the Latin Recording Academy honored him with the Trustees Award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance.

“An artist is made by his audience — without you this award would have no value, to the Latin Grammys who reminded us today of the importance of our local music and our Colombian identity and finally to my accordion, my first friend and extension my. body,” Cuadrado wrote his Instagram account when he received the award.

Earlier this year, Cuadrado was part of Vives' documentary “Regreso a Escalona” available through ViX's premium streaming plan.

“His passing leaves a deep void in the music and lives of those who knew him,” Vives continued in his heartfelt statement shared with Bulletin board. “With his accordion he wove melodies that resonated around the world, at Colombian parties and family gatherings, creating a bond between generations. His warm smile and generous spirit turned every chord into a resounding embrace, and his words, always full of affection, made everyone feel like part of his family. Today, as we remember him, we celebrate not only his immense talent, but also the legacy of love and joy he left in every note. Egidio, your music will live in every corner where the echo of your accordion is heard.”