The belembaotuyan is a long single-stringed musical instrument historically found on Guam. It is classified as a stick zither, which is an instrument with no neck or yoke. The string is stretched between the two ends of the body and has an attached resonator.
Roberto Fracassini of Florence, Italy, began to play music around the age of six years old. He became an accomplished piano, flute, and alto, tenor and soprano saxophone player.
Roberto Fracassini Read Post »
Born in Devonshire, England, Patricia Williams Rivera, better known as Patti Lane, was drawn to music during her early childhood days when she would listen to records with friends. They would sit in silence and listen to albums in their entirety, after which they would discuss the music and try to imitate the artists they had grown to admire.
Patrick Palomo’s interest in music developed at an early age when he would follow his father, the well-known musician Joaquin “Ding” Palomo, to band practice. Patrick Palomo had the opportunity to see his father play alongside some of Guam’s most noted musicians during these practices at the home of Forrest Harris, a noted guitarist on Guam.
Mr. Smooth Norbert Tydingco is best known for playing the smoothest chord progressions in the local jazz arena earning for himself the nickname “Mr. Smooth.” Tydingco’s love of music began
Louie Gombar is an accomplished musician on Guam known for his playing of the vibes (vibraharp). Gombar started out as a musician at the young age of twelve using bottles filled with water and playing them as if they were the vibes. Soon after, Gombar began to get exposure to Guam’s music scene.
Jose Naputi Gumabon, Sr. (1904 – 1968) was musically and artistically gifted. He formed a stringed orchestra with his sons and close friends to play at parties, weddings, christenings, and other functions. Although Gumabon and his musician sons have since passed away, their memories live on through their children, relatives and fellow musicians.
Guitarist Joaquin “Ding” Palomo (1923 – 1997) was a well-known and well-accomplished musician. Although he was known by his peers for playing rhythm guitar, he also played lead guitar. Palomo was an educator by profession, serving as principal of schools in Humåtak/Umatac and Dededu/Dededo. He woke up each morning at 5 a.m., however, to engage in what many called his passion – music.
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Francisco Garrido Franquez (1921 – 2006), also known as “Frank” or “Ankie,” first picked up the harmonica at the age of 14 years old. In 1935 or 1936 there was a harmonica contest in the Guam schools for students throughout the island. Though Franquez did not care for the instrument at first, he continued to practice and eventually became an accomplished player.
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Forrest Harris (1932 – ) first found his interest in music at nine years old while strumming a ukulele and playing a country song called “San Antonio Rose.” He would go on in his adult years to playing the mandolin, although he preferred the sound of the guitar.
