To the winged souls of the roses
I require you from the cream almond tree,
that we have to talk about many things,
soul mate, mate.
George Bonomo was a musician linked to various Lujanense artists. He represents a key figure in cultural terms. In fact, he participated in the consolidation of the identity of many of his local colleagues through a virtuous circle of permanent exchange.
Bonomo graduated as a concert pianist. He worked, above all, as a singer, keyboardist and guitarist for different bands. And, at the same time, as a soloist, in addition to collaborations with different musicians. He was also a producer. He was with the environment, as they say, with popular names.
He played in Luján and shared the stage with friends, but, more than anything, he shared life with them. George, together with Susana, his partner, had five children. They met with Miyo and her daughter; with Ángel Santini, Melisa Rouquaud and their children; with Juan Gutiérrez, his partner and his daughters. And in those meetings, of course, they painted jams and intergenerational ties, which included other musicians. Sometimes, in Luján; sometimes, in Ramos Mejía, where George lived; sometimes, during the day; sometimes at night. They formed a kind of community where Bonomo was the shaman.
After learning about his departure last Sunday, from Ladran Sancho we sent the same questions to five Lujanense musicians who knew him closely, five friends, specifically, Juan Rystock, Miyo Miglioranza, Juan Cavilli, Juan Gutiérrez and Edu Fonseca. In the transcription of the responses, we try to respect marks of orality and the flow of consciousness. Edu Fonseca and Juan Cavalli preferred to respond in writing. Their testimonies go.
Juan Rystock
—I knew George basically because of Miyo. They met there in El Abasto [un estudio] and they recorded the album Coolísimo. There we also connect by [Juan] Cavalli, who carried the equipment. And through Álvaro Villagra, too. When, through everyone, I meet him…, from that moment, we feel totally connected, from the beginning. Always admiring the crazy man because… of course, very talented; then the vibe we had with the whole Lujanera band with which we made songs. Juancito Cavalli, Miyo, Juan Gutiérrez, Joy, el Francés… are composers of songs; me too; Jorge, too… And we make songs. It surely influenced my music, I think it surely, because it was so beautiful what it did that…, it inspired you! See? And I remember it in the best way: singing. I remember him singing with an acoustic, with a guitar in his hand; banging with the piano; singing together… I did the harmonies. Every time I could I went to see him. He came to Luján a lot, and we always went there together; and we ended up playing some songs together, their songs, which are beautiful. You know I’ve been listening to the latest album these days… it sounds great! The messages he left there… the messages he left encoded, that someone who was lucky enough to know him and knows more about how the story of his life came about… can realize that he continued to work magic leaving beautiful messages in the songs. We are left with all his music, which is eternal, just like his spirit. I think about the details of his voice on some songs. Art is a small door to transcendence. With this medium we will continue to communicate. He was a great shaman.
Miyo Improvement
—I worked at Álvaro Villagra’s El Abasto studio. One day he tells me “Miyo, this weekend a band is coming to record…”. He had already told me about Bonomo, who was a crazy Scorpio like you, who never finishes anything. I had once seen him in a recording of a string quartet with some Russians for some Mexicans. We chatted for two minutes, and nothing. Another round fell with Coolísimo. I was an assistant. He brought a shitty team. I had a Marshall. Behringer leaves and Marshall enters. Good vibes that day. Then for another situation, which he recorded for a mine, a certain Cisí noséqué. And I asked him: “Hey, crazy, what did you do with that beautiful record?” “No, nothing, I don’t know what.” And I tell him: “Well, crazy, let’s finish it at home and that’s it; come.” At that time I had just started studying at home. And that’s how we became friends, but very friends. We finished that album together: I played the viola, the percussions, I mixed it…, but the important thing was the friendship, we became such good friends that he came, I went, and our girls became friends with each other. When we went with my daughter, we stayed. Tremendous. And well…, of course it has influenced my music. We have come to compose songs together: some with music, mine, and lyrics, his; and vice versa. Later we began participating in his concerts and the other way around. I remember him with joy, a pure soul, another crazy Scorpio. We had a taste for literature and cinema, other forms of expression that we shared. I would like to add something that we always said to each other when we greeted each other: “Hug and song! And it is like this: Hug and song!
Juan Cavalli
—In the portal that bends time and space you left, it was a morning of sweet wind, a cosmic sky made way for you towards the light, where everything is going to happen… From the sea to the solar disk, to later give us your star, and so we praise the new moon with you. You gave us the best.
We will continue singing despite everything: your songs, your wisdom, your poetry, your friendship, your universe, your love… in short, your wonderful art of living making this world a paradise. […]. Hug and song!
Juan Gutierrez
—Today I went to work listening to Jorge. I spoke to him this week. I met him thanks to Miyo, who was an assistant at Álvaro Villagra’s. He immediately told us that he found a crazy man who was a phenomenon, who was recording a great album, Coolísimo. We arrived at the crazy place and made friends again, a thousand years ago. He helped us compose. We have done several clubs together. One turn he came directly on a motorcycle with the bassist. I never heard him complain. My children have been singing their songs since they were little. It’s already a song.
Edu Fonseca
—I met him through Miyo Miglioranza and Joy Gutiérrez. They made me listen to Coolisimo’s album and, from then on, I was in contact with his music forever. Afterwards, clearly one is influenced by the people one admires and, not to mention if one is a “maker” of songs, his vision of the song format particularly fascinates me. I remember him with optimism, with joy, a noble person with a big heart, a unique artistic spirit. Personally, I had to record the guitars for the last album, Golden Wedding. For me he was, is and will be a master of the song and one of the most generous guys I met. Hug and song!
