Born in Montevideo in the 1940s, Hugo Fattoruso (1943) like his younger brother Osvaldo (1948-2012) both displayed a natural talent from an early age. They were actively encouraged by their parents, also musicians, Hugo was given a piano accordion when he was barely 8 or 9 years old, teaching himself to play it in no time. He never looked back. With father Antonio, the two brothers created the ‘FATTORUSO TRIO’ and were playing professionally when they were barely into their teens. Hugo was on the piano and the accordion, he also started to play the guitar and today, at 81 years of age, ever the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, he has shown no sign of stopping!
Trailer has no English Subtitles- the screened film has subtitles-
When the brothers were in their late teens, in 1964, with Hugo on lead guitar, piano and lead vocals, Osvaldo on rhythm guitar and vocals, Roberto ‘Pelín’ Capobianco on bass and bandoneon, and Carlos ‘Caio’ Vila, they created what was to become a hit band, ‘LOS SHAKERS’, unashamedly based on the Beatles. They styled their hair with the famous mop hairdo, wore suits and emulated the fab four in every way they could. As they say, imitation is the best compliment.
Despite singing in English, they became enormously popular all-over Latin America, considered the realest fake Beatles ever to record. They had managed to obtain three guitars, so they vandalized one of the them, persuading a friend to alter the neck to create a bass.
Los Shakers
They played rock, proto- punk, garage, and psychedelic rock, largely playing covers. A key moment transpired when, offered a recording contract, it became necessary to start writing their own material. Hugo took to this like a duck to water and according to Litto Nebbia, the Argentine musician, they had a fundamental influence on the rock scene in the Cono Sur. Nebbia also pointed out that despite their huge success, they were always broke, so it was no surprise when, with Osvaldo, he examined their contract, to discovered they were only receiving 1% in royalties!
Meanwhile, TV presenters were intrigued as they were considered a strange phenomenon: -
“Why do you have long hair?”
“Because we are not selling combs or hair spray, just records... if you look back in history, you will see that musician like Chopin, Beethoven even Bach, all had long hair!”
The Shakers split up in 1969 and then Hugo veered every more towards exploring his deeper jazz interests appearing at the Hot Club Montevideo and playing with other established musicians like Ruben Rada, who was to become a lifelong friend and colleague, Bachicha, Lencina, and Ringo Thielmann. Later that year, the brothers and Thielmann decided to try their luck in New York.
It was there, with their group ‘OPA’ that the Fattoruso brothers started to break all boundaries. They became the resident band at an Italian ‘Golden Chariot’ restaurant, apparently a popular venue for the New York Italian Mafiosi. There Opa, with Hugo on piano and keyboards, Osvaldo on drums and their friend Ringo Thielman on bass, they developed their new unique sound.
Osvaldo Fattoruso, Hugo Fattoruso and Ringo Thielmann
By now, Hugo was concentrating on great piano players like Oscar Peterson & Thelonius Monk. At the same time, the Trio found they were unable to totally disengage from their roots, and the powerful traditional soul drum beat of Candombe erupts into their music, creating a fusion of these elements unlike any other Latin fusion. It was and is essentially, Hugo Fattoruso at heart.
Such talent is not always accompanied by a business sense and despite their various successes the brothers continued to live from hand to mouth. Despite their appalling recording contract as Los Shakers, their nose for business had not improved. “We didn’t see a dime and that’s the truth”
“Hugo only wanted to write and follow his heart.” ( María, his Carioca wife)
Then international Fame came a’knocking.
Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira and singer Flora Purim were preparing to record an album (for the Creed Taylor’s CTI label) and were looking for a backing band. Impressed by OPA, Airto enlisted the Trio. Hugo called Ruben Rada to join them from Uruguay, and took charge of the arrangements and the song writing (bar the title song ‘FINGERS’ (Dedos) by Ruben Rada). The album, with its pulsating Latin-flavoured pulsating jazz fusion was a phenomenal global hit, (particularly in Japan!).
Dedos
Much fame, but little fortune, as they also saw little money from that album as well. But, by now, the brothers had established themselves as unique. Despite financial disagreements, they continued to play with Airto, including Madison Square in 1973. He then offered to produce for them and this led to the first OPA album, Golden Wings (1976).
Hugo had found a way to amalgamate Candombé and Jazz, creating the best Jazz-fusion band around. They were able to include Hermeto Pascoal on flute, Barry Finnerty on guitar and Flora Purim on vocals on some tracks (Arise), with Airto on Percussion.
‘Paraná’, from, the album DEODATO, “In Concert,” including Airto Moreira, Ruben Rada and David Amaro as well as Hugo Fattoruso & Hermeto Pascoal
Magic Time Line- up OPA
Hugo Fattoruso’s amazing performance of 'Paraná' remains the highlight of this album, and the live concert at Madison Square. Airto was then instrumental in getting OPA signed to Fantasy’s subsidiary Milestone Records, leading to further albums. By now Hugo was, apart from the piano, also using Moog, ARP and Oberheim synthesizers to wonderful effect. The album closes with a rhythmic dance piece of jazz fusion with a powerful pulsating bass line, and astounding solos from David Amaro, Pascoal and Fattoruso himself.
Hugo had become the go-to guitarist of the NY Jazz scene, and in the 11 years that he lived in the USA, he played with all the top talents. He was busy non-stop day and night, recording and composing. His personal life meanwhile was varied and interesting, with children being born and life becoming more complicated. One son was born in Las Vegas as they were on tour. They also spent years in Argentina, but eventually, the family with his Carioca wife, María de Fátima Quinhões they moved to Brazil. In no time he was playing the Djavan, Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque, all fascinated with his versatility.
Chico Buarque: -
“He brought new blood and a freshness to the music and to the concerts.”
But Hugo was hankering to do his own thing again and was missing his life in Uruguay. Aged 47 he decided to leave his wife and return to Uruguay with one of his children, Francisco.
In no time he had created a new line-up and a new group called ‘Los Pusilanimes’ (The Fainthearted) which was purely instrumental, with ‘Popo’ Romano and Carlos Quintana. Sadly in 2012, Hugo lost his brother Osvaldo to cancer. Osvaldo had been fighting it for many years & he played his drums to the end. This unique sibling relationship had been so special many talked about how they were so bonded that watching them play was always a special experience.
Hugo was back home in Montevideo and where he wanted to be. Now, aside from participating in folk festivals, including the Accordion Festival where hundreds of players create a procession, he makes a point of playing concerts with his own children, now all grown up. much as he had himself done as a chikld playing with his own father, Antonio.
All the children are, clearly, equally infected with the same Fattoruso musical gene!
“I am eternally grateful to my parents. I feel Like a billionaire. I can sit and play the piano that is good enough. I can’t complain!”
Corre Niña
FATTORUSO THE Movie
will be screened at the Latino Life Film Club on June 22nd- 2025
6 South Lambeth Place - London SW8 1SP
Book Now at www.latinolife.co.uk/filmclub
Credits: -
Writer/ Director: Santiago Bednarik / Production: Andres Varela & Sebastian Bednarik / Germán Ormaechea / Art Director: Luanda Fattoruso/ Cinematographer: Ramíro González / Sound Designer: Santiago Bednarik / Editor: Santiago Bednarik
OPA recordings: -
OPA Golden Wings (1976) / OPA Magic Time (1977) /OPA En vivo (Live) (1988) /
Back Home (1996) The Candombe Jazz Funk Vibe 1975-1977 (2003).
