Chilean Musician Valdo Delgado Dies in Car Crash in Uruguay

Chilean charango virtuoso Valdo Delgado died in a car crash January 7 while touring Uruguay. He was 41. Delgado was traveling with fellow musician, multinstrumentalist Eduardo Pinto. Based in Mendoza, Argentina, the duo had performed at Colonia and was heading to Mercedes, to perform at the Festival Jazz a la Calle. According to the initial investigation, it seems like the minivan driver fell asleep and the vehicle fell off the road into the Arroyo Maciel creek.

Valdo Delgado was born in Chile, but he spent a lot of time on the road, performing throughout Europe. When he returned to South America he bought some land in scenic Uspallata (Mendoza) and became the leading charango performer in the area.

Valdo Delgado and Eduardo Pinto were both members of a renowned world music group, Miles de Años, based in Mendoza. The group was formed in 2000 and toured Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Suiza, Italia and Spain. The trio, which also included Quique Oësch, released several recordings: “Miles de Años” (2002), “Sutra” (2004) and “Plexo” (2007).

More information is available at the group’s web site: www.milesdeanios.com.ar