Colombian Vallenato Accordion Master Dies at 65

Accordionist Miguel Ahumada died yesterday in Valledupar (Colombia) of a heart attack. He was one of the top vallenato accordionists in Colombia and was regular performer at numerous festivals throughout the country. "We have lost one of our best instructors, but above all, we have lost a great friend, and an excellent colleague," said Andrés “El Turco” Gil , director of the Academia de Música Vallenata.

Miguel Ahumada was born in Valledupar. He recorded with numerous artists, including 'Beto' Martínez, 'Papi' Daza, Miguel Mora and Antonio Mayorga. He also won the 'Primaveras del Ayer' contests in 2004 and 2006. This contest focuses on veteran accordionists and is held  at the Festival Cuna de Acordeones at Villanueva in La Guajira.

"Ahumada was a veteran accordionist and an expert in the soul of his instrument, so much that he even repaired them," said Lolita Costa, director of the International Accordion Music Meeting (Encuentro Mundial de Músicas de Acordeón). "He performed alongside famous artists such as Alfredo Gutiérrez, Emiliano Zuleta Díaz, Juancho Rois, Omar Geles, Beto Villa and Álvaro López, among others. After many years as a touring performer, he ended up as an accordion music teacher at the Academia “Turco” Gil, where he was well loved, respected and admired by his many students, to whom he patiently and sincerely taught the secrets of his beloved instrument."

Miguel Ahumada is survived by his wife Marieth Maritza Moreno and four children: Roberto, Marieth, Federico y Ana Luz.