Reina de Todas las Fiestas (CHV Música/Barbès Records, 2015)
The original cumbia was developed in Colombia, when African and Spanish influences mixed to create a popular dance style. The cumbia migrated north and south and morphed into various forms, such as the Mexican cumbia and the Peruvian psychedelic chicha (which itself migrated to various other places, including New York City). The cumbia also arrived to Chile. Chico Trujillo is one of the leading exponents of Chilean cumbia, which they call Cumbia Chilombiana.
Unlike other forms of non-Colombian cumbia, Chico Trujillo’s style sticks very close to the tempo and feel of the Colombian cumbia, with the addition of a vibrant horn section. In addition to cumbia, Chico Trujillo also adds other Hispanic-American and indigenous influences such as Andean folk, northern Chilean carnival music and Mexican ranchera traditions. Their latest album, titled Reina de Todas Las Fiestas (The Queen of All Parties), was recorded in Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
The Chico Trujillo lineup on the album includes Aldo Asenjo, “El Macha” on vocals; Víctor “Tuto” Vargas on bass; Michael Magliocchetti on guitar; Juanito Gronemeyer on drums; Rodolfo “Tío Rodi” on fuica (percussion); Joselo Osses on keyboards; Sebastián “Zorrita” Cabezas on trumpet; Leo “Felita” Ruiz on sax; and Luis Tabilo on trombone.
Guests on the album include the popular carnival act Banda Wiracocha, a thirty-piece brass band from Iquique; northern Chilean band Banda Conmoción, Argentine rock star Kevin Johansen; Alvaro Henriquez of Chilean group Los Tres; Pájaro Araya; Patricio Quilodrán; rap group Rebel Díaz, Horacio Salinas on guitar, and Rubén Moya.
Chico Trujillo was formed in 1990 in the small municipality of Villa Aleman, a few miles from Valparaiso. The group began as informal get-togethers where singer Aldo “Macha” Asenjo and members of his punk/ska group La Floripondio played old Chilean and Colombian cumbia hits for fun. The gatherings soon turned into a touring band that spent most summers in Berlin where they refined their hybrid sound.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
