Solon Ayala

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1947–1958

Genres

classical guitar, instrumental, latin classical

Instruments

acoustic guitar

Biography

Solon Ayala was a distinguished Brazilian classical guitarist who played a significant role in the dissemination of the guitar as a concert instrument in Brazil. Born in 1927 in Rio de Janeiro to Paraguayan parents, he was raised in the Glória neighborhood and began his musical studies at the age of eleven. His early career was shaped by the influence of his father, a friend of the renowned Agustín Barrios, though Ayala carved his own path within the Brazilian broadcasting landscape.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Ayala was a frequent performer on several major radio stations, including Rádio Mauá and Rádio Globo, and appeared weekly on TV Tupi. He was a member of a pioneering guitar orchestra at Rádio Clube do Brasil, performing alongside the legendary Brazilian guitarist Dilermando Reis. Ayala's technical proficiency and dedication to the repertoire helped elevate the status of the guitar, which was still frequently viewed as a marginal instrument in the classical concert world at the time.

Ayala's legacy is also tied to his work as an educator; he was the first classical guitar teacher of Nara Leão, who would later become a foundational figure in the Bossa Nova movement. His discography includes two albums recorded for the Sinter label, "Recital de Violão" (1956) and "Ouvindo... Solon Ayala e seu Violão" (1958). These recordings showcased his unique blend of classical arrangements, traditional Brazilian themes, and compositions from the Paraguayan tradition, reflecting his multicultural heritage. Mentioned in the historical research of Fábio Zanon, Ayala remains a key figure in the history of the Brazilian guitar.