Viento Sur featured another amazing bolivian band Kallawaya that is the most exciting group to appear on the Bolivian Andean music scene – local and international – for over a decade.
The new ensemble has a formidable virtuosi line-up and offers a wide-ranging programme of Bolivian and Latin American music to display its myriad talent. Using the traditional bolivian combination of wind, string and percussion instruments, Kallawaya aim for artistic excellence and diversity in performance. Moving from a brief but stunning presentation of auctoctonous bolivian music, their concert performances encompass traditional and popular styles, introducing elements of latin boliivian jazz to create an impressively contemporary sound.
In 2003 Kallawaya made their debut tour in the West. For this proyect five of Bolivia's most talented musicians, all stars of the La Paz music world, have been brought together by bolivian kenista Adrian Villanueva.
The new ensemble has a formidable virtuosi line-up and offers a wide-ranging programme of Bolivian and Latin American music to display its myriad talent. Using the traditional bolivian combination of wind, string and percussion instruments, Kallawaya aim for artistic excellence and diversity in performance. Moving from a brief but stunning presentation of auctoctonous bolivian music, their concert performances encompass traditional and popular styles, introducing elements of latin boliivian jazz to create an impressively contemporary sound.
In 2003 Kallawaya made their debut tour in the West. For this proyect five of Bolivia's most talented musicians, all stars of the La Paz music world, have been brought together by bolivian kenista Adrian Villanueva.
Adrian Villanueva – kenas
Kenista with Rumillajta for fifteen years, and a well known flute craftsman, Adrian took the lead acting part portraying a kallawaya, or travelling healer,
in Amazon, an imax film released in 1997.
Max Carlos Ponce– zamponas
A highly accomplished panpipe player who has performed with many major Bolivian artists including Rumillajta, with whom he toured and recorded. Reknowned for his remarkable technique on chromatic panpipe and his skill as a jazz musician.
Edgar Villaroel – lead vocalist, percussion
A charismatic performer with a highly distinctive voice and a model for many Andean vocalists. Has sung with leading Bolivian groups K’jarkas, Mallku de los Andes and Rumillajta. During the nineties lived in London and sang with Robert Pla and his Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Juan Carlos Cordero – guitar
Guitarist and song-arranger with Rumillajta for twelve years. A remarkably versatile, classically trained guitarist. Winner of the 1994 Guitar Festival, Bolivia.
Saul Callejas – charangos, second voice
One of the finest charango players Bolivia has produced and
Jach'a Mallku's ex-charangista. A top prize winner at Bolivia's
Festival of Musica Popular 1988.
Kenista with Rumillajta for fifteen years, and a well known flute craftsman, Adrian took the lead acting part portraying a kallawaya, or travelling healer,
in Amazon, an imax film released in 1997.
Max Carlos Ponce– zamponas
A highly accomplished panpipe player who has performed with many major Bolivian artists including Rumillajta, with whom he toured and recorded. Reknowned for his remarkable technique on chromatic panpipe and his skill as a jazz musician.
Edgar Villaroel – lead vocalist, percussion
A charismatic performer with a highly distinctive voice and a model for many Andean vocalists. Has sung with leading Bolivian groups K’jarkas, Mallku de los Andes and Rumillajta. During the nineties lived in London and sang with Robert Pla and his Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Juan Carlos Cordero – guitar
Guitarist and song-arranger with Rumillajta for twelve years. A remarkably versatile, classically trained guitarist. Winner of the 1994 Guitar Festival, Bolivia.
Saul Callejas – charangos, second voice
One of the finest charango players Bolivia has produced and
Jach'a Mallku's ex-charangista. A top prize winner at Bolivia's
Festival of Musica Popular 1988.
If you have missed this big show on Kallawaya just click on the link Viento Sour January, 12, 2008, to listen the repris.
