Story of Luishino of Xuno
about us
THIS IS MY STORY.
MY BEGINNINGS.
His first release was with the album “Canciones de mi Otoño,” performing the tracks Adoro, En Bancarrota, Cisne Cuello Negro, Girl from Ipanema, Let It Be Me, My Way, Rosa, Todo Pasará, When I Need You, Y Volveré. See Album.
Beginnings and Musical Formation
My name is José Luis Sampedro. I was born in a village called Xuño, in the municipality of Puerto del Son, province of La Coruña, Galicia, Spain. That’s where my nickname comes from: Luisinho de Xuño.
From a young age, my life was marked by music. At 9 years old, I began studying music theory with my uncle Francisco, my mother’s brother, using the SLAVA method. However, I only studied for a year because my uncle left to work as a musician on a cruise ship, the Cabo San Roque of the IBARRA Company. Despite this interruption, I continued my musical training with my other uncle, José. To attend classes, I had to walk three kilometers and cross mountains, which meant I could only complete the first music book.
Professional Career and Life in the Merchant Navy
Before turning thirteen, I started working as an assistant in construction, an experience that gave me an early perspective on working life. At seventeen, I embarked as a waiter in the Marina Mercante. This stage of my life led me to work on oil tankers as a waiter and cook on routes to the Gulf of Persia for 17 years.
This experience was cut short by a war conflict between Iraq and Iran. The ship Barcelona, where I worked, was bombed by Iraq, resulting in the death of four crew members, including two of my closest friends. This tragic event marked a turning point in my life.
Reinvestment in the United States
After this unfortunate event, I decided to move to United States. In this new chapter of my life, I faced significant challenges and began working in construction. Over time, I managed to establish my own company and became a specialist in hanging scaffolds through a course I completed. However, in 2010, the economic crisis severely affected me, and I had to close my business.
Return to Music and Composition
Amid adversity, I decided to revisit my passion for music and enrolled in a music school called The Golden Note to learn how to play the keyboard. Although I had already composed some lyrics on significant topics like the collapse of the Twin Towers and the situation in Syria, my love for music has always been present.
Since my days in the Marina Mercante, I have been an avid collector of albums by Spanish-speaking artists such as Raphael, José Luis Perales, Joan Manuel Serrat, Víctor Manuel, Leonardo Favio, José José, Emmanuel, Basilio, Armando Manzanero, Mari Trini, Rocío Jurado, Rocío Dúrcal, and Raffaella Carrá, among many others.
Album Release and Current Recognition
Currently, although I am retired, I continue composing music from time to time. My first release was the album Canciones de mi Otoño, in which I perform songs such as “Adoro,” “En Bancarrota,” “Cisne Cuello Negro,” “Garota de Ipanema,” “Let it Be Me,” “Rosa,” “Todo Pasará,” “When I Need You,” y “Y Volveré.”
I do not seek fame or recognition; my greatest joy is seeing my friends enjoy my songs. My greatest wish is for the whole world to hear my compositions.
I am very grateful to all my listeners.
A big hug,
José Luis Sampedro
