Juan Morel Campos

Composer

Birthday May 16, 1857

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace Puerto Rico

DEATH DATE May 12, 1896 (38)

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About

Remembered for his tremendous contributions to the development of the Puerto Rican danza music genre, Campos composed close to six hundred pieces during his brief lifetime.

Before Fame

He began his musical training at age eight and, early in his career, founded a music group called La Banda de Bomberos del Parque de Bombas de Ponce (the Firemen's Band of Ponce). He later headed a danza orchestra known as La Lira Poncena.

Trivia

His unrequited love for a woman named Mercedes Arias inspired "No Me Toques," "Maldito Amor," and several more of his popular danzas.

Family Life

Born to Dominican father Manuel Morel Araujo and Venezuelan mother Juana de Dios Campos Collazo, he spent his childhood in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Associated With

He and fellow Puerto Rican composer Manuel Tavarez both studied with Gonzalo de J. Nunez.