As a child, Jorge Gamboa Patrón was fascinated by his mother. He listened to her sing, play the guitar, and compose verse after verse. Josefina Patrón was the life of the parties and, to Jorge, she was a source of inspiration.
“She would give me the verses she wrote and told me to put music to them. She was the one who taught me to play the guitar; I inherited my passion for music from her,” says Jorge Gamboa, a former Mexican tourism official, composer, and singer-songwriter.
Jorge Gamboa Patrón has made a profound mark in Los Angeles, or to be more precise, he has been responsible for promoting Mexican culture and history throughout the country. For years, there was hardly a cultural event involving Mexican culture that he was not present at or had something to do with its organization.
There are individuals who have gone unnoticed without the recognition they deserve, but for years, the name Jorge Gamboa Patrón was strongly associated with the word Mexico.
Jorge Gamboa possesses all the qualities of a popular figure; in more private gatherings, he maintained the festive atmosphere he learned from his mother, Finita. When you entered one of those gatherings, it was characteristic to hear his voice, his smile, or him interpreting a song of his own inspiration or by a popular artist.
“I had a wonderful childhood; my parents and siblings had a supportive, very healthy relationship,” he says. “I don’t remember any problems we had. We all looked forward to vacation breaks to go to the beach,” he says.
Gamboa was born in Mérida, in the state of Yucatán. He grew up in an environment known as the eternal spring, surrounded by the sea and a culture that adored musical rhythms.
“I have to confess. I wasn’t a good student, but music filled me with joy and satisfaction,” he adds.
His mother liked to write; perhaps, those were the foundations of the 380 songs that Jorge has under his authorship.
“As a child, I used to stay up listening to music before sleeping; there were no devices like now, so my siblings had to endure one song after another. I was always very passionate and dreamy. I still dream when I wake up; I see theaters full,” he says.
He greatly admired Joan Manuel Serrat and Armando Manzanero, among others. One day, he dreamed of being like them. The song “Mediterráneo” by the Spanish singer was one of his favorites.
“Everything made sense with music. Besides, it helped me a lot. I was very romantic. Music helped me win over the girls,” he says. “Many times, one of my friends would invite me to serenade a girl, and it turned out that in the end, that girl stayed with me… I better not mention names,” he says with laughter.
Later on, the family had to move to Mexico City; they arrived during turbulent times in 1968 when the city was boiling with social and student movements.
“We were on the sidelines of that; we had just arrived, everything was new to us. That’s where I tried Lala milk, a carton jar from which you pour by poking a little hole in the container. That was new,” he adds.
His passion and devotion to music were such that he formed his first band. In honor of Serrat, he named it “Mediterráneo.” His mother was happy, but his father was not as pleased. Of a more serious and businesslike nature, he wanted Jorge to become a business administrator.
“You are wasting your life,” Jorge Gamboa recalls his father Emilio telling him.
To intensify his search, he decided to go to Acapulco to perform with his band at the Ritz Hotel; it was a time of great celebration.
“I was doing very well. I earned a lot of money, worked at night with my band, and during the day in a trust, where I did all kinds of work. A lot of partying; after finishing work, we would go to the discotheque and meet as many women as you can imagine, from all over the world,” he says.
In a way, with that chaotic life, Jorge Gamboa was living his mother Finita’s dreams of experiencing the world of entertainment to the fullest.
“My mother frequently traveled with her friends just to see me play; she was very happy,” he adds.
And then, one day, one of his brothers arrived in Acapulco with a message from his father.
“My father told me to pack up and go back,” he said.
Upon arrival, his father told him he had to enroll in a new tourism school. At least he would go through this experience. Although he didn’t know it, this step in his life would mark what would come to be many years later.
“He didn’t have to convince me; he forced me,” he says, laughing.
After finishing his studies, he traveled to England on a whim. When he returned, the impact of that trip was so great that he told his parents he would immediately return to that country. His father just stared at him. There was no way to reason with him.
“I didn’t know anyone, I had no money; I traveled with only 200 dollars. It was a total adventure. When I got there, I slept in the park the first few nights, played outside the metro station,” he says.
But life smiled at him again. One day, while he was playing, a Spaniard passed by and congratulated him.
“Wow, what great songs. Mexican?” he asked.
They hit it off. The Spaniard gave him some coins, but Jorge needed something more. A connection with that country and a place to live and work.
“I’ve had a fortunate journey. The Spaniard needed a babysitter, so he offered me that job; I would take care of three children and sleep in the basement. I could also work in a nearby restaurant,” he recalls.
After a little over a year, loneliness struck him. It was a very cold country; he missed his family and friends. So he decided to return to Mexico.
Shortly after, a friend invited him to a political campaign to elect the governor of Yucatán. If they won, they would have jobs. So he didn’t think twice. He joined the campaign, and after winning, he was offered the position of Director of Tourism for Yucatán. He was only 25 years old.
He paused the music, dedicated himself to innovate and improve tourist services and facilities. His impact was such that he was soon invited to move to Houston to lead the Mexican Tourism Office in the United States. That marked the beginning of a long career that recently ended in Los Angeles. He worked for decades until the current government of Andrés López Obrador abolished these offices worldwide.
“It was a very interesting position. You have to project the country, serve as a link between the tourist offices of the states and potential interests in the United States. We had to support them and ensure the best services were offered,” he adds.
And although not permanently, music has accompanied him. He has been able to compose hundreds of songs, make invaluable friendships in that environment, have up to half a million listens on Spotify, and even be nominated for the Latin Grammy.
“Yes, I still have the itch to devote more time to music. But you have to be realistic, be positive. I have 17 albums of my own, and I have had the privilege of experiencing unforgettable moments. Yes, I wanted to sing like José José; it was impossible, but I was able to spend a bohemian night in his company, delighting in his voice and songs all night long,” he recalls.
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