Maria Esther Zamora

Maria Esther Zamora was a singer from Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca, with Zapotec roots. She joined Orquesta Guadalajara in the 1950s, and her husband Gilberto Puente played piano in the band. Her most famous song is 'Chipi Chipi', which was inspired by the light rain in Oaxaca. She recorded it during her time with the orchestra, and it became a hit that reached listeners well beyond Mexico.

She worked with other Mexican artists like Lola Beltrán, Pedro Infante, and Javier Solís. Her music drew from the traditions of her region but found a broad audience. Zamora faced some criticism for being too commercial, and as a woman in the industry, she dealt with sexism, but she kept performing.

Zamora's voice had a plain, emotional quality that suited songs like 'Chipi Chipi'. She didn't have a huge catalog of solo albums, but her recordings with Orquesta Guadalajara and those collaborations left a straightforward mark. The song remains a familiar piece of Latin music, more for its gentle melody than any dramatic story.