Lucio Demare

Lucio Demare (August 9, 1906 – March 6, 1974) was an Argentine pianist, composer, arranger, and orchestra director who became one of tango’s most refined and sophisticated voices. Born in Buenos Aires to a musical family—his father Domingo Demare was a violinist—Demare began formal training at age six and performed professionally in cinema halls by age eight. He studied piano under maestro Vicente Scaramuzza and developed early mastery of both classical and tango repertoires.

In 1926, Francisco Canaro brought Demare to Paris, where he joined Canaro’s ensemble at the Florida dancehall. By 1927, Demare formed the celebrated Irusta-Fugazot-Demare trio with vocalists Agustín Irusta and Roberto Fugazot, which achieved international acclaim touring Europe and the Americas before returning to Buenos Aires in 1936. From 1938 until his death, Demare led his own orchestras, recording over 79 compositions across multiple labels (Odeon, Columbia, Pampa, Disco TK, and others), establishing his ensemble as one of the era’s most subtle and sentimental ensembles.

Demare’s greatest achievements came through collaborations with lyricist Homero Manzi, producing tango standards including “Malena” (1942), “Mañana zarpa un barco,” “Solamente ella,” “Telón,” and “Tal vez será tu voz.” Aligned with the Romantic tango school, his work featured exalted lyricism and melodic richness. He also composed approximately 50 Argentine film scores between 1936 and 1971, frequently collaborating with his brother, film director Lucas Demare. Demare continued performing in Buenos Aires nightclubs until his death on March 6, 1974, leaving a legacy as one of tango’s most poetic composers.