José Barros

José Benito Barros or simply José Barros (March 21, 1915 in El Banco, Magdalena – May 12, 2007 in Santa Marta, Magdalena[2]) was a prominent Colombian musician, and composer of more than 800 songs in genres including cumbia, porro, merengue, currulao, paseo, bolero and tango.

He decided to stow away on the steamship Medellin, which came from Barranquilla and was bound for Honda, an important fluvial port close to Bogota.

His fame increased, and he was invited to countries such as Panamá, México and Argentina, which led him to write rancheras and tangos.

Later, in Barranquilla, he met and engaged in a relationship with Amelia Caraballo, who gave birth to four children, Adolfo, Alberto, Alfredo and Abel Guillermo.

In the 1960s, after becoming ill, Barros returned to El Banco, and with a group of friends created and organized the Festival de la Cumbia in 1971.