Samuel Castriota

b: Nov. 2, 1895, Bs. As., Argentina; d: July 8, 1932, Bs. As. Argentina.
Pianist, composer and Leader.
Although born in Buenos Aires,he spent his childhood in San Miguel, where he served an apprenticeship as barber. He was also learning to play the guitar "by ear". At age 16, he returned to Buenos Aires, and he continued to practice with his guitar.

He now began to get some work with small outfits, and he also switched to piano, still intuitively, - no lessons. With some money that he won at the lottery, he put up his own barbershop, withdrawing for a while from music. But soon, he took a little formal musical instruction on the piano, and began performing solo in bars in the La Boca and Barracas areas. In 1908, he made what could be called a professional debut, when he became part of a Trio which also included Francisco Canaro, on violin, and Vicente Loduca on bandoneon, for an engagement at the Royal Café.

In the mid-'10s. he premiered his own Tango composition "Lita", which would in time turn out to be his biggest success as a composer. A little later Pascual Contursi added lyrics to that song, without asking permission, and even before meeting Castriota. Contursi also changed its name to "Mi Noche Triste" ("My Sad Night"). In 1917, Carlos Gardel sang the song, and it became a huge hit.

Even though Contursi renamed the tune and added the lyric without permission, they did not become enemies, but neither did they become friends as one might have thought. Trying to repeat the hit, they collaborated, - this time under mutual agreement, on the Tango "Sentate Hermano" (subtitled "Bebé Conmigo") but the tune never had the popularity, or the impact of "Mi Noche Triste". In fact, it is interesting to note that Castriota would go on to compose many other Tangos, - none of which ever become truly popular.

He was also the author of many Instrumental Tangos including:
       "La Yerra" ("The cattle branding") composed in 1913,
       "El gorrión" ("The Sparrow"),
       "Mi Noche Alegre" ("My Joyful Night")
       "Como Quieras" ("As You Like It"),
       "La Cotorrita",
       "Flor de Cardo",
       "Como brilla",
       "La Mañanita",
       "Campero",
       "El Gaucho",
       "El Loco de Los Inventos",
       "Nido de Amor",

He also wrote some compositions with lyrics by various playwrights to be sung in musical theater plays, -- but they also failed to gain popularity.
       "Dolor de ausencia", with Carlos R. De Paoli;
       "El ciruja de Sorrento", with Juan Andrés Caruso;
       "Patio Olvidado", with Carlos Cabral
       "Chica Moderna", with Enrique Pedro Maroni.

He also added his own lyrics to two of his Tangos "Notas Lejanas" and "Mi Coronel", with the same results, -no success.

When it was all over, only his "Lita" with lyric added, and name changed by Contursi to "Mi Noche Triste", was his one and only real "Hit". His Tango "El Arroyito", with lyrics by Celedonio Esteban Flores, was his only other work to achieve some small measure of success.