Roberto Grela

Roberto León Grela (1913-1992) was one of the greatest tango guitarists in Argentine music history. Born in Buenos Aires (sources specify either San Telmo neighborhood or Concepción), Grela was raised in a musical family—his father and uncle performed as Los Hermanos Belpasso. Initially trained on mandolin, he switched to guitar at age seven under the guidance of guitarist Manuel Parada. Entirely self-taught, playing by ear, Grela became known for his distinctive sound achieved through use of a tortoiseshell pick rather than traditional fingerstyle technique. Launching his professional career in 1930 at seventeen, he accompanied vocalist Roberto Maida on radio and collaborated with numerous renowned performers including Charlo, Nelly Omar, Edmundo Rivero, and Osvaldo Ribó. His most celebrated partnership began in 1953 with legendary bandoneonist Aníbal Troilo, their collaboration noted for spiritual synchronicity and emotional depth. Grela also formed the Cuarteto San Telmo with Leopoldo Federico and appeared in films including “Buenas noches, Buenos Aires” (1964). Recognized with a Konex Prize diploma in 1985 as one of Argentina’s five finest tango instrumentalists of the decade, his career spanned from 1930 until his death in 1992 at age 79. He composed numerous pieces and remains revered as a master of the instrument in tango tradition.

Sources note: tango.info lists birthplace as Concepción, Argentina; Wikipedia (EN and ES) sources identify birthplace as San Telmo, Buenos Aires. All sources agree on birth date 1913-06-28 and death date 1992-09-06.