Raúl Barboza

Raúl Barboza (1938-2025) was an acclaimed Argentine composer and accordionist, celebrated as a leading figure in the traditional music genre of chamamé. Born in Buenos Aires, he showed prodigious talent from a young age, recording his first songs at just 12 years old. Barboza lived in France for several decades, gaining recognition as a 'Knight of the Arts and Letters' and earning numerous accolades, including a Doctor Honoris Causa from the National University of the Northeast in Argentina. His innovative approach to the diatonic accordion revolutionized chamamé music, and he collaborated with renowned artists across genres, expanding the reach of this folkloric style globally. Barboza passed away at the age of 87 in Paris, leaving behind a rich legacy of musical excellence and cultural diplomacy.