Pablo Beltran Ruiz R.I.P.

The Sociedade de Autores y Compositors de Mexico, the Spanish affiliate to ASCAP, is reporting the passing of their member, bandleader and composer Pablo Beltran Ruiz, at age 93. Pablo Beltran Ruiz was little known outside of his native country. The same could have been said of his work, had it not been for a piece of music he composed 55 years ago. Originally written as a cha cha, "Quien Sera" was recorded by Pablo Beltran Ruiz and his orchestra in 1953. But that was merely the infancy of this songs' life. By the end of 1954, it was one of the most widely recognized songs in the world.By then U.S. songwriter Norman Gimbel had written the English lyric and title: "Sway".

And then the hit records began: Dean Martin, Perry Como, Perez Prado,Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Rydell, Edmundo Ros and Julie London were among the countless performers who had various chart successes with"Sway" in the U.S. and/or the U.K.  Canadian crooner Michael Bouble included it in his recent PBS special.It has been featured in dozens of movies, most recently "Shall We Dance" starring Jennifer Lopez , as well as numerous tv commercials for consumer products. The song has found a lasting place among Latin American standards such as "La Bamba" and "Granada".  Pablo Beltran Ruiz may have passed away at 93, but "Sway" is destined to have an equally long life.

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