Did José Dames ever imagine a small plaza would bear his name here in Buenos Aires? Here at the José Dames Plaque, we celebrate a man whose melodies wove themselves into the very fabric of tango. The José Dames Plaque marks a small, tranquil space dedicated to the memory of this prolific composer and bandoneonist. Born in Rosario in 1907, Dames’s musical journey began with the violin. Later, the bandoneon became his voice. He moved to San Fernando, then to the Nueva Pompeya neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Dames wasn’t known for leading orchestras. His true passion resided in composing. “Melodies came to me while walking in the street, on the streetcar, anywhere,” he once said. He collaborated with renowned lyricists like Homero Manzi and Enrique Cadícamo, creating timeless tangos like “Fuimos” and “Nada”. “Nada” alone boasts nearly 300 recordings by various artists. Dames played alongside tango giants such as Aníbal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese, and Francisco Rotundo. He also accompanied iconic singers like Roberto Rufino and Alba Solís. Though he composed over 350 pieces, including milongas, waltzes, and even a sacred piece for his local church, his tango compositions cemented his legacy. The José Dames Plaque, established in 2005, stands as a quiet testament to his enduring musical contributions. It’s a place to reflect on the melodies that flowed from his bandoneon and the words they embraced. His music continues to resonate within the heart and soul of tango.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to