Humahuaca

Origin

Humahuaca, JU

Years Active

1970s–present

Genres

andean folklore, traditional music, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, instrumental rock, andean music, urban rock, folklore

Instruments

charango, quena, guitar, bombo, requeque, triangle, sikuris, bugles, erkenchos, flutes, bass, keyboards, wind instruments, drums

Biography

Humahuaca is a musical group originating from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Andean folklore. Formed in the 1970s, the group stands out for its fusion of Andean rhythms with elements of progressive, psychedelic, and instrumental rock. The band originated with the Argentine musician Willy Verdaguer, who moved to Brazil in 1967 and subsequently formed the group Humahuaca in the country. The initial lineup featured Emilio Carrera on keyboards, John Flavin on guitar, Dudu Portes on drums, and Marcinho Werneck on wind instruments.

Throughout its trajectory, Humahuaca accompanied the singer Elis Regina in a 1976 TV special based on the show "Falso Brilhante". This collaboration demonstrates the group's versatility and recognition in the Brazilian musical scene. The band is known for its instrumental approach, exploring sonorities that merge Andean tradition with the rock vanguard.

The name "Humahuaca" refers to the region of origin of many of its members and to the rich Andean musical culture. The group, and its offshoots such as "Humahuaca Trio", continue to explore this fusion, releasing albums and performing, keeping the musical tradition alive with a contemporary perspective. The "Humahuaca Trio", formed in 2000, for example, is known for mixing folkloric rhythms with urban rock, featuring musicians like Juan Cruz Torres, son of the renowned charango player Jaime Torres.

Discography

• Willy Verdaguer, Humahuaca – Retrato Musicado (2019)