Raphael Baez

Raphael Baez, Sr. can be counted as one of the first Mexicans ever to call Milwaukee home. Born in Puebla, Mexico in 1863, Baez began his musical education at the age of nine. From the start, the youngster displayed a remarkable ability to understand and transpose even the most difficult of compositions. Completing his academic studies at the College of Arts and Industries with first place awards in arithmetic and composition, Baez began his career as a professional musician at the age of fourteen. He moved to the City of Mexico, where he secured a position with the Grand National Theater as a violinist.

In the spring of 1884 Baez toured the main cities of Mexico with the C.D. Hess Opera Company (a precursor of the Florentine Opera Company). Hess, impressed with the young musician’s talents, invited Baez to the Untied States at the close of the season. Baez eventually settled in Milwaukee, where he accepted the position of organist and musical director at Gesu Church, one of the city’s most prominent churches. Growing in his skills as an organist, director, and composer, Baez entered into a very successful career, later playing at St. John’s Cathedral, Temple Emanu-El, and a local opera company.  After years of conducting private music lessons for the children of Milwaukee’s elite, Baez eventually became the first Mexican professor at Marquette University, where he taught music. Baez passed away in 1930 after an illustrious musical career.