Rafael Méndez Arceo

• Name — Rafael Méndez • Born — 26 March 1906 • Birthplace — Jiquilpan, Michoacán, Mexico • Died — 15 September 1981 • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Trumpet • Years Active — 1939–1975

Méndez was born in Jiquilpan, Michoacán, Mexico to a musical family. As a child, he performed as a cornetist for guerrilla leader Pancho Villa, becoming a favourite musician of his and required to remain with Villa's camp.

Méndez emigrated to the US, first settling in Gary, Indiana, at age 20 and worked in steel mills. He moved to Flint, Michigan and worked at a Buick automotive plant as he established his musical career.

In 1939, Mendez joined the MGM orchestra where he played on several movie soundtracks and performed regular live concerts. By 1940, he was in Hollywood leading the brass section of M-G-M's studio orchestra. He contributed to the films Flying Down to Rio and Hondo, among others, and from 1950 to 1975, Méndez was a full-time soloist. At his peak, he performed about 125 concerts per year and he was also very active as a recording artist. Méndez was highly acclaimed for his range, technique and unparalleled double-tonguing. His playing was also characterized by a brilliant tone, wide vibrato and clean, rapid articulation. His repertoire was a mixture of classical, popular, jazz, and Mexican folk music. He contributed many arrangements and original compositions to the trumpet repertoire. His Scherzo in D minor is often heard in recitals, and has been recorded by David Hickman. He is regarded as the popularizer of "La Virgen de la Macarena", commonly known as "the bullfighter's song", to US audiences. Perhaps his most significant if not famous single recording, "Moto Perpetuo", was written in the nineteenth century by Niccolò Paganini for violin and features Mendez double-tonguing continuously for over 4 minutes while circular breathing to give the illusion that he is not taking a natural breath while playing.

Rafael Méndez married Amor Rodriguez after meeting her in Detroit. They had twin sons, both of whom became surgeons; Dr. Rafael G. Méndez, Jr. and Dr. Robert Méndez, and five grandchildren. By the late 1950s, Méndez had been suffering from serious asthma-related problems which caused increasing difficulty during performances. His playing was also affected by an injury at a baseball game in Mexico in 1967. He retired from performing in 1975, but continued to compose and arrange. He died at his home in Encino, California on September 15, 1981.