José Schumacher
TITAF-P-9523163
Real name José Francisco Schumacher
Life 25 February 1894 – 7 May 1958
Pseudonyms
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• Inglesito
• J. Schumaker
Occupation
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• bandoneonist
• composer
Instrument
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• bandoneon
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Country of birth Argentina
Citizenship
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• Argentina
TodoTango: Link
José Schumacher (born 25 February 1894 – died 7 May 1958) was a distinguished Argentine bandoneonist of the generation 1910–1925. Known among musicians for his technical mastery and elegance, he was a disciple of Arturo Bernstein and part of the stylistic lineage that prioritized refined execution. Despite his talent, he remained largely unrecognized by the general public, possibly due to his early departure from Argentina and limited work as a composer.
Early Career in Argentina
His career likely began in 1921 in a quartet led by Juan Carlos Bazán at the lavish Tigre Hotel, with Fidel Del Negro and Ricardo González ("El Muchila"). That same year he performed at the Teatro Ópera in one of Francisco Canaro's orchestras, alongside Juan Canaro, Rafael Canaro, Rafael Tuegols, and Luis Ricardi.
In 1922, he continued performing with Canaro’s formations at the Casino Pigall with Humberto Canaro, Anselmo Aieta, and Ángel Danesi, and later at venues such as the Royal Pigall and Armenonville.
With Roberto Firpo
In 1923, Roberto Firpo recruited Schumacher to pair with Juan Bautista Guido. The orchestra also included Luis Cosenza, Cayetano Puglisi, Elvino Vardaro, Piscoto Scaglione, and Alfredo Corleto. They performed widely and recorded with Discos Nacional under Max Glücksmann.
On a 1923 tour in La Pampa, Schumacher met Carlos Gardel — a key relationship that would persist in later years.
Move to Europe
In 1924, Schumacher and Cosenza left Firpo’s orchestra to join Eduardo Bianco, traveling to Europe. They briefly performed in Paris with Eduardo Arolas' group before Arolas's death. Schumacher then worked with Manuel Pizarro and Genaro Espósito (Tano Genaro), eventually joining the emerging Bianco-Bachicha orchestra, led by Bianco and Bachicha Deambroggio in Madrid.
In that lineup were Fioravanti Di Cicco, Héctor Artola, Agesilao Ferrazzano, Miguel Tanga, and Mario Melfi on drums.
Own Ensemble and Return to Argentina
In 1927, he formed his own orchestra with three bandoneons, three violins, piano, guitar, and double bass. He returned to Argentina in 1929 but soon left again for Paris.
In 1932, Juan Cruz Mateo hired him to join the orchestra accompanying Gardel in the film Melodía de arrabal. Other members included Julio Fernández Falcón, Ángel Maffia, Juan Andrés Ghirlanda, Esteban Rovati, Aranaz, Horacio Pettorossi, and Esteban Gutiérrez.
Compositions
Although his composing activity was limited, he authored or co-authored a few tangos:
"Hay una virgen TITAF-T-0002408" (with Cayetano Puglisi), recorded by Firpo in 1924
"Para siempre" (with Luis Cosenza), recorded by Firpo in 1923
"Pobre ñata", recorded acoustically by Firpo in 1924
"Sacate la caretita" (with Cosenza, lyrics by Juan Andrés Caruso), recorded by Firpo in 1923 and later by Carlos Gardel in 1924 with guitar accompaniment
Later Years and Legacy
Forced to leave Europe due to the outbreak of World War II, Schumacher returned to Buenos Aires. Despite his immense talent, his name remains largely absent from tango historiography — a testament to the fragility of recognition in the arts.
He died in Buenos Aires on 7 May 1958.
Sources
Orchestras
No known group memberships.
Recordings
No recordings found.
Opus
| Title | Genre | Alt. title | Comp. Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pobre ñata | Tango | ||
| Sacate la caretita | Tango |