The celebrated Italian harp-guitarist Pasquale Taraffo. Courtesy Franco Ghisalberti.

One of Guido Deiro's close musician friends was the celebrated Italian harp-guitarist Pasquale Taraffo (1887-1937). The two probably met on the vaudeville circuit, recognized each other's great talents, spoke in Italian to each other, and quickly became fast friends.

Pasquale Taraffo was born on November 14, 1887 in Genoa, Italy. His father was a metalworker and the family income was modest, but the family was cheerful and enjoyed singing and playing musical instruments; including guitar, harmonica, and violin.

Pasquale displayed a remarkable musical talent from an early age and studied music under the sponsorship of two Genovese ship owners: Prospero Lavarello and Stefano Censini. Later Taraffo named two of his original compositions after these two benefactors.

Taraffo had a special guitar with extra strings built for him by the violin maker Settimio Gazzo, who built the 14-string guitar seen in the above photograph.

Taraffo had an impressive career in Italy, Europe, North America and South America. He accompanied many stars of the Metropolitan Opera, and he recorded dozens of records.

Sometimes Deiro organized concerts for Taraffo as soloist, and sometimes Deiro performed at Taraffo's concerts. Taraffo was also a composer, like Deiro, and recorded many records, including eight original compositions: Prospero Tango, Sonatina in la maggiore, Valzer Variazioni, Armida Mazurka, Lorenzita Paso Doble, Marcia americana, Marcia Cogliolo, and Stefania Marcia.

Taraffo died of a sudden disease at the age of fifty in Buenos Aires on April 24, 1937.

Both Taraffo and Deiro recorded Taraffo's Prospero Tango for the Columbia Record Company, and it is interesting to compare the two versions, by clicking on the two links below.

Special thanks to Franco Ghisalberti of Genoa, Italy, for providing images for this page.

Taraffo Plays Prospero Tango

Deiro Plays Prospero Tango

Taraffo & Deiro concert (June 2, 1929) program cover.

Taraffo & Deiro concert (June 2, 1929) program.

Taraffo & Deiro concert (June 9, 1929) program cover.

Taraffo & Deiro concert (June 9, 1929) program.

Deiro showing off his brand-new Cadillac to Taraffo. Click on image to enlarge. Photograph dated May 30, 1929.

Photograph of Guido Deiro signed and given to Pasquale Taraffo. Courtesy Franco Ghisalberti.

Photograph of Guido Deiro signed and given to Pasquale Taraffo. Courtesy Franco Ghisalberti.