The renowned accordionist Egidio Cuadrado, an important part of the group La Provincia alongside Carlos Vives, has passed away at the age of 71 in Bogotá. Cuadrado, crowned King of Vallenato in 1985, was a prominent musician who contributed to the dissemination and preservation of vallenato music, bringing it to national and international stages.
Cuadrado, born in 1953 in Villanueva, La Guajira, rose to fame alongside Carlos Vives in the 90s, when they collaborated on albums such as "Classics of La Provincia." His participation in the telenovela "Escalona," inspired by the life of composer Rafael Escalona, alongside Vives, helped elevate vallenato to an international level.
The accordionist, who had been hospitalized for days due to pneumonia, worsened his health condition last Saturday. In light of this sad news, various artists and entities in the music field expressed their condolences.
"With the death of my compadre Egidio, I have no doubt that that moment in history is gone," shared Carlos Vives on social media. Shakira also lamented the loss, writing: "In return, you leave us the notes of your accordion and the sound of your laughter to always brighten our hearts."
The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata Foundation and the Government of the Department of Cesar also joined the expressions of sorrow. Colombian music has lost an invaluable talent, leaving an indelible legacy in the vallenato scene and in the music industry in general.