90s Fresia Saavedra: “I didn’t want to leave music, and Diosito didn’t either”

Robust and fragrant, with heels, a midi dress and pristine make-up. Fresia Saavedra It is well preserved for its age, which celebrates its 90th birthday today. With great enthusiasm to have us as visitors, he received us in the living room of his daughter’s house. Hilda Murillowith whom he lives from Monday to Friday.

Although it is difficult for her to stand up and she prefers to be addressed in a high tone, the singer-songwriter remains the same as always. Sitting in the middle of a lucid conversation, the artist from Guayaquil was grateful to have reached this year, but also to have reached another goal in her professional life because it is not common for someone to live to be 85 years old in the music industry, but in the case of freesia who started singing at the age of five.

The singer is fondly called Lady Corridorhe grew up in Guayaquil in the 1940s, where radio stations were the main means of communication and entertainment. freesia He noted that due to the limitations of electric service at that time, he took advantage of special times to listen to the radio, especially programs devoted to folk music. It was his introduction to the songs his mother sang to him at home, and his father accompanied them on the violin.

He made his debut in a children’s radio program at an early age. At the age of 12, his talent was recognized by the owner Radio Condor, who hired her as a singer. He inherited his passion and talent for music from his parents, especially from his father, Julio Saavedrawhom he considers his only teacher.

These experiences instilled in him a deep love for Ecuadorian music, and he grew up listening to and performing this repertoire at home. Radio stations were especially precious to her. Here he connected with important Ecuadorian singer-songwriters of the time such as Elvira Velasco, the Montesci brothers, Carlos Rubira, Olimpo Cárdenas, among others. During the rise of duet songs and the hallway genre, he had the privilege of working with renowned composers such as Francisco Paredes Herrera, Carlos Silva Parejaand others, who gave her new songs to perform and record.

One of his most notable recordings was a song Cruel fate, which at the time proved to be a great success that encouraged her to continue her musical career. His influence as an artist transcends generations and he has worked tirelessly in various fields to keep this traditional genre alive. He also had the opportunity to collaborate with important political figures in the country, who sought his talent for composing campaign songs.

During his career, freesia He also collaborated with the legendary Julio Jaramillo. They recorded six music tracks together, exactly when Jaramillo He was taking his first steps in the industry. Among his projects, freesia formed a duo Saavedra-Mendoza with Maruya Mendozafurther expanding his repertoire and reach in the music world.

He married Wacho Murillo, which also played a crucial role in his artistic development. These days Fresia Saavedra Gómez It is an indisputable pillar of traditional Ecuadorian music and a cultural reference both in Guayaquil and throughout the country. In addition to his impressive career, his dreams and aspirations for national music reflect his unwavering commitment to the art.

He hopes that both public and private spaces promote national music, and that young talents will bravely accept the challenge of restoring and revitalizing Ecuadorian music. freesia he admits that the musical future of Ecuador falls on these new generations.

Even with all the challenges and victories through life, freesia He continues his educational work at the Julio Jaramillo Museum of Popular Music in Guayaquil, a space where he imparts his wisdom to young musicians.

However, the life of freesia it was not without challenges. In 2021, he fought a tough battle with the coronavirus, which then caused complications with his colon. She has since avoided excessive dancing and, with diabetes, now spends her time between her daughter’s house hilda during the week and his home in Mucho Lote 2 during the weekend, where he lives with his nephew. Despite the adversity, he continues to maintain an active routine: he cooks, listens to music and plans his courses for young talents.

Fresia Saavedra He is not only the iconic voice of Ecuadorian music, but also a living testimony of the power of passion, determination and commitment to culture and tradition. His legacy, rooted in the past but with an eye toward the future, is a reminder of the importance of preserving and revitalizing Ecuador’s rich musical diversity.

For this special edition of its 90 years, freesia answered certain specific questions:

¿What is your biggest musical discovery?

Thief. I recorded it and they still listen to it. There were many corridors, Different paths I like that.

¿What is your greatest personal discovery?

First, I want to thank my God for giving me the opportunity to live 90 years and move forward. I always want to be with my family, my daughter mainly because she is the only one, my grandchildren.

¿What legacy does it leave you?

That every time they play my songs, my songs will remember me because despite having recorded so many songs, we always agree. Mother and daughter are always close.

Did you want to quit music at some point in your career?

No, I didn’t want to leave music, and God didn’t want me to leave music because I was so taken. Thanks to him and the doctor who treated me, I’m still here, I’m teaching that youth everything about our roots, my songs, and I was wonderfully honored on Wednesday night at the museum where I work.

Have you achieved everything you wanted as an artist?

Yeah, I’m not complaining. True, God has always guided me, opened doors and so far I have been able to cross them without any difficulty.