Amparo Mercedes Sánchez Pérez was born in Alcalá la Real (Jaén) on September 24, 1969. She grew up in Granada.
While in Granada, Amparo Sánchez joined her first band, the Correcaminos (Roadrunners) at 16.
In 1993 she moved to Madrid where she recorded her first album titled “Haces bien” (Fábrica Magnética). Later, she formed the group The Gang.
In 1995, accompanied by her guitar, she performed her own songs and some covers in Madrid’s famed Malasaña neighborhood. Together with La Vacazul, she formed a group called Ampáranos del blues, with which he toured parts of Spain and made her way to France.
Manu Chao and Radio Bemba were living in Malasaña at the time. Amparo married Manu Chao and they stayed married for several years.
Amparo served beer in a bar called Tio Vinagre, a place where musicians jammed on guitars, cajones and bongos. This led to the creation of Amparo’s celebrated mestizo music band Amparanoia.
Amparanoia’s 1997 debut album, El Poder de Machin, had deep Latin American influences.
In 2000, she discovered Mexico’s diverse art and its people: music, painting, Frida Kahlo, Chiapas and the revolutionary movement.
Amparanoia suffered a tragedy in 2004. On Saturday, October 9th, 2004, Amparanoia’s piano player, Caridad Borges, died in a car accident in Camaguey, Cuba. She was driving with her husband, Jose Alberto Varona, Amparanoia’s trumpet player, and her daughter Carirosa. Both Jose and Carirosa were critically injured and fighting for their lives.
In 2005, accompanied by her three musicians, she stayed for one month in the Zapatista community La Realidad. There, she recorded the song Somos viento.
In 2008, she disbanded Amparanoia and decided to continue her career as a soloist.
In 2010, Amparo released her first solo album, Tucson-Habana with an acoustic repertoire composed entirely by herself, with the exception of the song “La Parrandita de las Santas”, by the Cuban composer and singer Mane Ferret. It was recorded in two stages, one in 2007 in Tucson, Arizona and the other in 2009 in Havana, Cuba. The album includes a collaboration with Omara Portuondo.
In 2012 she released Alma de Cantaora, 13 songs that featured various high profile guests: Caléxico; Baby; De Pedro; Mane Ferret; Arianna Puello; Muerdo; Howe Gelb; and Charlat’58 and Bongo Botrako.
In 2014 she released the album Espíritu del sol. That same year Amparo published the book La niña y el lobo.
Amparo reactivated Amparanoia in 2017. The band released ‘El Coro De Mi Gente ’, a reinterpretation of ‘El Poder de Machín’, the record she released exactly 20 years earlier, and was a landmark in the Spanish music scene of the 1990s.
“Algo Está Pasando” is the latest release by Amparanoia featuring Artistas del Gremio. It is the first in a series of songs recorded by Amparanoia with Artistas del Gremio in 2023. The song was released on June 2nd on major platforms.
“Algo Está Pasando” serves as an honest call for reflection and mobilization for our rights in this dystopian time we live in. It combines truth and emotion, presenting itself as a Mexican corrido with a touch of Southern influence, blending a captivating brass section with guitar riffs.
The collaboration between Amparanoia and Artistas del Gremio began in October 2022 during the recording of the song and official music video for “Mi Genética, Charanga Versión.” The second collaboration took place during a legendary concert at the end of Amparanoia’s tour, celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary.
The chemistry between Amparanoia and Artistas del Gremio was so strong that they decided to plan and record together, resulting in the creation of both original songs and versions of Amparanoia’s classic repertoire. The first of these collaborations is “Algo Está Pasando.” As a result of this fusion, several singles and music videos will be released.
Both bands, united by Amparanoia’s trajectory and messages, as well as the energy and madness of Artistas del Gremio, enhanced by electronic beats, brass instruments, and life-affirming vocals, will embark on a powerful live performance together. From 2023 to 2024, they will tour Spain and make some international appearances on various stages.
Discography:
With Amparanoia:
El Poder de Machín (Facedown, 1997)
Feria Furiosa (Facedown, 1999)
Somos Viento (EMI Hispavox, 2002)
Enchilao (EMI Hispavox, 2003)
La Vida Te Da (Via Lactea, 2005)
Seguire Caminando 1996-2006 (Via Lactea, 2008)
El Coro De Mi Gente (Warner Music/Calaverita Records, 2017)
Himnopsis Colectiva (2021)
Solo albums:
Tucson-Habana (Via Laceta, 2010)
Alma de Cantaora (Kasba Music, 2012)
Espiritu del Sol (World Village, 2014)
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.