Padú del Caribe's Musical Tapestry: A Cultural Treasure of Aruba

 Tichea Ferguson

Central Artist: Juan Chabaya 'Padú' Lampe

    In this playlist, we will delve into the unique melodies and music of the Dutch-speaking Caribbean, more specifically we will focus the discussion on Juan Chabaya 'Padú' Lampe. He was born on April 26th, 1920 and died on November 28th, 2019, both in Oranjestad, Aruba.  His nickname "Padú del Caribe" (which means Father of the Caribbean) after the death of his grandfather who had the same name when he was alive. He taught himself how to hone his skills on the clarinet, violin, mandolin, and cuatro, but his preferred instrument was still the piano. During his five decade long career, he has cemented himself as one of the most revered legacies in Caribbean music. Lampe's musical history dates back to the late 1960's when his debut record entitled, "Padú del Caribe en Venzuela" was released. It went on to sell 50,000 copies in the initial year of release, making him an instant sensation in Venezuela. In addition to his distinctive Dutch Caribbean rhythms, he had also demonstrated his proficiency in Rock & Roll, Swing, Mambo, Twist, Serenade, Danza, and Merengue music, all of which had produced successes.

    The first song that we will look at is titled, Aruba Dushi Tera, and means Aruba, Lovely Land in the island's native Papiamento language; also it is the official national anthem of the small island nation. This song was originally composed by Lampe as a waltz along with the help of other notable composers of Aruba by the names of Rufo Wever and Hubert Booi. Their 1950 composition "Aruba Dushi Tera" was declared Aruba's national anthem on March 18, 1976, 26 years after it was written. The words of the song highlight Aruba's scenic splendor along with its extensive cultural heritage while expressing the islanders' strong sense of attachment to their country. The wind instruments (clarinets and flutes), violins, and guitars are common examples of typical instruments that are used to accompany the light-hearted and celebratory tune that defines the song itself. This is honestly one of the most enjoyable national anthems I have ever heard, I believe that Padú had a lot of patriotism himself for Aruba to compose such a jovial and prideful song.

    This next song is a song featured on Padú's 1993 album by the name, Recuerdonan Stimá (in English, Dear Memories); the song's name is Abo So (in English, Only You/You Alone). The song's lyrics express a profound love and connection between the singer and their beloved, in a very poetic and romantic manner. Lampe's composition is celebrated for its ability to convey deep emotions, including love, longing, and affection. The lyrics and melody work together to create a heartfelt and evocative atmosphere that resonates with the audience's emotions. The song is typically performed with instruments, such as the piano, guitar, and percussion, which infuse the song with an island flavor. While the tempo fluctuates, it is generally slow and calming, taking those who listen to Aruba's tropical splendor. Padú's voice in the song, reminds me of songs that used to be written between the 1920s and 30s (even though it was released in the early 90s).

    The second song on the Recuerdonan Stimá album we will listen to is the song Atardi, which means Sunset/Late Afternoon in English. This song is actually a cover and instrumental arrangement of the song originally written and performed by Rudy Plaate, a famous Curaçaoan composer. Even though the original song has lyrics that celebrate the beauty and serenity of Curaçao evenings and sunsets, the same can be said about Aruba with its golden sunsets, gentle ocean breezes, and the deep sense of tranquility that accompanies such moments. Instruments such as the piano, wiri, and guitar are what can be heard in this version of the song arranged by Lampe. The slow, calming beat captures the serenity of the late evening. Anyone listening is taken to the serene and romantic atmosphere of an Aruban sunset by this musical arrangement. I think this song is catchy and memorable; I even think it to be enjoyable for tourists to listen to either through the streets of Aruba or throughout their hotel.

    Next, we have the song, Mambo Arubano (in English, Aruban Mambo), from Padú's 1994 album by the name of Cu Amor i Cariño (in English, With Love and Affection). The name of the song "Mambo Arubano" alludes to a blending of the colorful culture of Aruba with the Latin dance form "mambo." The song is a perfect fit for social and cultural events because of its catchy melody and upbeat rhythm, which embodies joy and dancing. The catchy and upbeat melody of "Mambo Arubano" is what makes this song so appealing. Usually, it has a vibrant blend of Latin and Caribbean sounds, such as piano, wiri, and percussion. The lively, joyful cadence encourages dancing and movement. The piano is most definitely the instrument playing the main melody of the song and Padú masterfully tickles the ivories to arrange a piece of music that everyone would want to dance to. I find this to be one of the first examples of Padú's musical versatility, and he performs this song with such ease and passion.

    Baila Contento (in English, Dance Contentedly/Joyfully) is the next sing from the Cu Amor i Cariño album by Padú. This song is another chance that Padú took to demonstrate his diversity, as it is composed in Merengue style. Along with Padú playing the piano, there are drums, guitars, and the wiri playing the composition. The tempo is lively and catchy, perfectly designed for dance and revelry. The song rejoices in life's pleasures and promotes dancing. It conveys a global message of letting go of inhibitions and living in the present. By the time of this performance on April 22, 1995, Padú was a few days shy of turning 75 and was still playing the piano with the same verve and vigor he would have when he was in his prime. Despite his age, we can see that the complexity of the song does not phase him in the slightest. The camera even zooms in to view Padú's hands playing the piano with sophisticated ease and I am blown away.

    Finally, we will listen to another song from the Cu Amor i Cariño album named, Un Fiesta Anima (in English, A Lively Party). Just like the name suggests, the melody and rhythm of this song are cheerful and make the listening audience want to get up and dance. These characteristics are typical of the Tumba music style that is quite common in Aruba. this song in particular can be characterized as one of the earlier examples of Tumba as it possesses no lyrics to accompany the composition. This song is very catchy and was expertly arranged by Padú. The piano portion was intricately woven into a beautiful tapestry of musical composition that is pleasing to the ear. Juan Chabaya "Padú" Lampe was truly a musical genius of Aruba and his legacy will continue to live on through his great works.

Bibliography

Gangelhoff, Christine. Tour De Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean. 2019.

“Padu Del Caribe - Cu Amor I Cariño.” Discogs, 1994, www.discogs.com/release/15678204-Padu-Del-Caribe-Cu-Amor-I-Cari%C3%B1o.

Pinto, Juan Luis, et al. “Today We Celebrate Padu Del Caribe!” Aruba Today - Aruba’s ONLY English Newspaper, Apr. 2023, www.arubatoday.com/today-we-celebrate-padu-del-caribe.

“The Story of Aruban Living Legend Padu Del Caribe - Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou.” Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou, 30 Apr. 2019, bnkcuracao.com/audio/the-story-of-aruban-living-legend-padu-del-caribe. 

webmaster@visitaruba.com. “Aruba National Anthem - VisitAruba.com.” www.visitaruba.com, www.visitaruba.com/about-aruba/general-aruba-facts/national-anthem.