Beto Berdún

Robert Berdún was born in the city of Azul, province of Buenos Aires, on 15 December, 1956.

“Attending 5th year in the National School of that city, influenced, essentially, by ` Con América En La Sangre ' LP by Opus 4, `Sin Mirar Atrás' de Zupay and the first album of an Argentine Vocal Group (I can´t remember its name, now), me and three mates set up a vocal quartet called “Esteban Etcheverría”.

I remember those times with much affection. Those were really intense days. We sang at normal schools, at jails and at schools for children with different levels of abilities.”

The following year, he left his home town with the firm decision to study at the UNLP.

“I remember it wasn´t socially acceptable for us (much less for our parents), to choose Music as a carrer once graduated from secondary school”. Studying “seriously”, meant, also, studying a “serious” carrer.

“That´s when I divorced music for the first time. Fortunately, on the one hand, I never graduated from law school. On the other hand, though, and due to my poor academic knowledge, I never got to be the musician I had always wanted to be.”

In La Plata (along with the majority of the population), he lived in fear. And his contacts with music were reduced to sporadic “guitar rounds” among intimate people.

“I’ve survived almost two really frightening years, until I decided to continue my studies in Capital Federal. Here I met once again with that Bass vocal singer from that old Vocal Quartet in Azul, who introduced me to the director of Santo Domingo´s Church Choir, Master Ceoli, who incorporated me to it, allowing me to gain my first `cents' singing at weddings on Saturdays. Soon afterwards, priests said: that is enough! And, for the second time, I took distance from music”.

Some years went by before a possibility to play and sing showed up again. It was in 1984 with “Musicate”, a group integrated by co-workers, affiliates to the Association of State Workers. There, Beto had the chance to play several times in different “importan” locations in the city, sharing stage with as well as getting to know musicians just like him. The incipient democracy allowed them to sing without those fears of the past.

“It was around that time that a member of “Ollantay” recommended me to the “Incari” group. That was my first approach to professionalism. “Incari” had already released three albums, had been internationaly touring and was going for even more. His director was a very, very lovable man. Shortly after. fate put an end to his life as well as to my desire to keep singing. Third distance.”

Beginning the 90´s decade, and on a new chapter on this fluctuating relationship with music, he started attending Music classes in Avellaneda´s School of Pop Music. “The director himself recommended me to the vocal-instrumental group “Santaires”. And, as a member of it, he performed in numerous stages throughout the country, was awarded a number of prizes, and recorded three albums.

“During this stage, I was surrounded by very good musicians, who represented the opportunity to learn, share stage, and play along with so many people with many different levels of talent”.

The group ended in 2003 or 2004, just to be re formed -with new members- in 2006. In his own path, Beto was defining very difficult personal situations and, again, he was distanced from music.

“Around July 2006, Jorge Berén (friend, cofounder of the Nocheros de Anta, fernet drinking partner, ex- Santaires, excellent Recording Technician and a great singer) put me in contact with Master Ferraudi, exquisite arranger, founder and director of Albahaca Quintet”.

Since then, this is where I am. Again surrounded by good, talented people. Convinced on the fact that music will continue on taking me to places you wouldn’t be able to go by other means of transportation.”