Rafael Méndez

Rafael Méndez (March 26, 1906 – September 15, 1981) was a Mexican virtuoso solo trumpeter. He is known as the "Heifetz of the Trumpet."

Birth and Death Data: Born March 26, 1906, Died September 15, 1981

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1969

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet

Notes: Also known as Rafael Gutiérrez Méndez Arceo and Rafael G. Mendez. Victor ledgers sometimes spells forename as "Raphael."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor PBS-09730 10-in. 10/11/1937 When the organ played "Oh promise me" Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-09731 10-in. 10/11/1937 The mission by the sea Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-09732 10-in. 10/11/1937 Have you met Miss Jones? Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-09733 10-in. 10/11/1937 I'd rather be right Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-09734 10-in. 10/11/1937 Rudy Vallee surprises—no. 1 Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-09735 10-in. 10/11/1937 Rudy Vallee surprises—no. 2 Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-011697 10-in. 8/11/1937 Boots and saddle Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-011698 10-in. 8/11/1937 Deep night Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-011699 10-in. 8/11/1937 Kitty from Kansas City Connecticut Yankees ; Gentlemen Songsters ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042246 10-in. 11/13/1939 A bee gezindt Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042247 10-in. 11/13/1939 In the mood Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042248 10-in. 11/13/1939 Irish washerwoman Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042249 10-in. 11/13/1939 My wubba dolly Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042250 10-in. 11/13/1939 Sometimes I'm happy Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042367 10-in. 1/16/1940 Holy smoke (Can't ya take a joke?) Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042368 10-in. 1/16/1940 Hot gavotte (Rum-tum-tiddle-iddle-um-dee-ay) Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042369 10-in. 1/16/1940 Give a little whistle Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042370 10-in. 1/16/1940 Run, rabbit, run! Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-042371 10-in. 1/16/1940 Chop fooey Four King Sisters ; Alvino Rey Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-061018 10-in. 3/31/1941 Buena y mala Dora Luz ; Orquesta Tropical Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-061020 10-in. 3/31/1941 Prisionero del mar Dora Luz Male vocal solo, with 2 guitars instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor PBS-061021 10-in. 3/31/1941 No puedo más Dora Luz ; Orquesta Tropical Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100838 10/25/1956 The brave matador (trio)-1 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100839 10/25/1956 A trumpeter's lullaby Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100840 10/25/1956 Chunca (trio)-1 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100841 10/25/1956 The Tre-Mendez polka (trio)-1 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100842 10/25/1956 Chiapanecas (trio)-1 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100843 10/25/1956 Cara nome (from Rigoletto) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 100844 10/25/1956 Polka in the box (trio)-1 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114168 10/4/1963 La virgen de la macarena (The bullfighter's song) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114169 10/4/1963 Mendez jota Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114170 10/10/1963 El gato mantes Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114171 10/3/1963 Chiapanecas Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114172 10/4/1963 Granito de arena Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114173 10/4/1963 Espana cani Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114174 10/4/1963 Valencia Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114175 10/4/1963 Aires Andaluces Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114176 10/10/1963 Around the world Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114177 10/10/1963 La madre del cordero Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114178 10/10/1963 Encino polka Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114179 10/7/1963 Ave Maria Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114180 10/5/1963 Figaro (Largo al factotum) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114181 10/8/1963 La vie en rose Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114182 10/8/1963 Anniversary polka Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114183 10/5/1963 Patzcuaro Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 114184 10/8/1963 The lightning trumpet Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 4129 3/21/1946 Estrellita Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 4130 3/21/1946 Hejre Kati Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 4216 6/24/1946 valse bluette Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 4217 6/24/1946 Flight of the bumble bee Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 4218 6/24/1946 Hora staccato Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10194 6/5/1957 Musetta Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10195 6/5/1957 Hungarian dance No.5 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10196 6/5/1957 Habanera Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10197 6/5/1957 Hungarian chant Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10270 6/17/1957 Danse polovtsienne Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10271 6/17/1957 Dance of the comedians Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10272 6/17/1957 Jota No.2 Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10273 6/17/1957 Scherzo in D minor Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10309 6/25/1957 Paper doll Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10310 6/25/1957 Bewitched Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10311 6/25/1957 Over the rainbow Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10312 6/25/1957 Laura Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11283 12/16/1958 El gitano Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11284 12/16/1958 Les filles de Cruz Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11285 12/16/1958 Sleepy lagoon Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11286 12/16/1958 Canto moro Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11287 12/17/1958 One fine day Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11288 12/17/1958 Intermezzo Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11289 12/17/1958 Valse suriano Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11290 12/17/1958 Waltz Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11291 12/18/1958 Body and soul Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11292 12/18/1958 I surrender dear Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11293 12/18/1958 I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11294 12/18/1958 Memories of you Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11295 12/18/1958 On the sunny side of the street Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12375 2/27/1961 Aria from Tosca Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12376 2/27/1961 Moto perpetuo Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12377 2/27/1961 Londonderry air Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12378 2/27/1961 Sevillia Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12379 2/27/1961 Aria from Pagliacci Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12380 2/27/1961 Fascination Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12381 2/27/1961 Clavelitos Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12382 2/27/1961 Moraima Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12383 2/27/1961 Romanza Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12384 2/27/1961 Sobre las olas (Over the waves) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12488 5/1/1961 Farewell Granada Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12720 12/19/1961 Bell song ( from Lakmé ) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12721 12/19/1961 Samba Gitana Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12722 12/19/1961 Over the waves (Sohre las olas) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12723 12/19/1961 Czardas (Monti) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12724 12/19/1961 Mendelssohn concerto Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12725 12/19/1961 Czardas (Mendez) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12726 12/19/1961 Danse bohème (from Carmen) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 12727 12/19/1961 Dance of the hours Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13024 8/16/1962 Gallito Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13025 8/16/1962 Flirtations of a trumpet Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13026 8/16/1962 Valse suriano Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13027 8/16/1962 Clarinet polka Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13028 8/16/1962 Nena Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13029 8/16/1962 Bugler's holiday Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 13030 8/16/1962 Concerto in E flat for trumpet and Orchestra (Haydn) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14449 6/16/1967 Lullaby Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14450 6/16/1967 Romanza Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14451 6/16/1967 Bambuco Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14452 6/16/1967 Bossa romantica Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14566 7/12/1967 Piece en forme de habanera Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14567 7/12/1967 Carinhoso Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14568 7/12/1967 Entr'acte Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14569 7/12/1967 Malaguena salerosa Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14570 7/12/1967 Sicilienne Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14571 7/12/1967 Sevilla Laurindo Almeida ; Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14715 10/16/1967 Andaluza Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14716 10/16/1967 The little Russian donkey (El burrito Ruso) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14717 10/16/1967 The Lord's prayer Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14718 10/16/1967 The bullfighter's prayer Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14719 10/17/1967 Fandango Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14720 10/17/1967 Malaguena Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14721 10/17/1967 The girl from Chihuahua Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14722 10/18/1967 Princesita Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14723 10/18/1967 Zapateado Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14724 10/18/1967 Una voice poco fa Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14725 10/19/1967 Ave Maria Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14726 10/19/1967 Schubert's serenade Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14727 10/19/1967 Lara's theme from Doctor Zhivago Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14728 10/19/1967 Mexican hat dance Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14729 10/20/1967 Malaguena salerosa Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14730 10/20/1967 Guajira (Zapateado Cubano) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14731 10/20/1967 La boda de Luis Alonoso (The wedding of Luis Alonso) Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14732 10/20/1967 Minuet Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 14733 10/16/1967 Fire dance Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 15046 11/25/1968 Concerto a Raphael Mendez Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 15290 9/8/1969 Love theme from Romeo And Juliet Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 15291 9/8/1969 Moonlight sonata Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 15292 9/8/1969 The typewriter Rafael Méndez instrumentalist, trumpet  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Méndez, Rafael," accessed May 14, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106457.

Méndez, Rafael. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106457.

"Méndez, Rafael." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106457

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