Los Kjarkas
Los Kjarkas are a Bolivian music group founded in Capinota in 1965 by the Hermosa brothers - Wilson, Castel and Gonzalo - and Édgar Villarroel. The name of the group has its origin in the word qarka , which means "strength" or "force" in the Quechua language.
history
The first kjarkas
Members made their living by going from village to village and playing Argentine zambas . The autochthonous Bolivian music was not developed enough at that time. Gradually, however, the country's own rhythms began to prevail. B. Cuecas , Huayños or Bailecitos . The composers included Simeón Roncal, Gilberto Rojas and Teófilo Vargas.
During these years of transformation, Los Kjarkas found their style that led to their later success.
New foundation
After these beginnings the members left the group and Gonzalo Hermosa re-founded the group with the musicians Eddy Carpio, Antonio Canelas and Alcides Mejía. During the following 10 years Los Kjarkas perfected their compositions and their interpretation of Andean music . They presented themselves for the first time in 1975 in the Bolivian capital La Paz . In the same year they made the Bolivian contribution to the folklore festival in Brazil.
In 1976 in Mexico they released their first album, Bolivia , consisting of nine songs, almost all of which were composed by Gonzalo Hermosa. Particularly noteworthy is the song Bolivia, which practically became the second national anthem and should not be missing in any of their concerts.
After these initial successes, the group expanded to include Ulises and Élmer Hermosa (November 13, 1960), Toño Canelas, Gastón Guardia (May 26, 1959), and Guillermo Ponce and Édgar Villarroel (of the same name as the founding member).
The compositions by Ulises Hermosa and the vocal interpretation by Élmer Hermosa and the contributions by Gastón Guardia are among the most important works of the group.
In 1977 they released their second album, Sueño milenario de los Andes (translated roughly: Millennium Dream of the Andes ), or as a double LP called “Fortaleza” between 1977 and 1978 with songs with strong folkloric roots.
The group became very popular not only in Bolivia, but with concerts all over South America , as well as in Europe , North America and Japan .
In 1980 they published Cóndor Mallku , where they also began to address romantic topics that departed from traditional folklore and also renewed themselves rhythmically. This album shows the artistic skills of the Hermosa brothers. In songs like Ella es or Pequeño amor they tell philosophically and poetically about love.
In 1981 Julio Lavayen and Ramiro de la Zerda joined the group and the album Desde el alma de mi pueblo was released. Their success increased with each album and in the 80s they became the most important musical group in Bolivia with international success.
In 1984 Los Kjarkas were invited to the XV Festival of Popular Music in Japan where more than 1,800 songs from all over the world competed and were awarded. Florcita azul achieved 10th place and the cornerstone for the special success in Japan, which continues to this day, was laid.
At the end of the 80s, the French group Kaoma had a worldwide hit with the song Lambada . This is based on Ulises Hermosas Llorando se fue , which was registered in Germany. Kaoma had to compensate Los Kjarkas with a larger sum of money.
In the following years there were further changes in the composition of the group. Important songs of the decade are Canto a la mujer de mi pueblo , Wayayay , Imillitay , Oruro , Tiempo al tiempo , Chuquiago Marka , Solo . In 1989 the only pure instrumental album was released, Ch'uwa yacu .
A setback followed in 1992 when Ulises Hermosa died from cancer. Before he died, he completed the song El árbol de mi destino (translated roughly: my tree of fate ), which was published posthumously by Los Kjarkas. In 1993 the album Hermanos is released, with the most important composition Tarajchi by Ulises, which was completed by his brother Gonzalo and describes the history and the path of the Hermosa family.
Other musicians also joined the group in the 1990s, including Ronaldo Malpartida, Eduardo Yáñez, Alcídes Mejía, Miguel Mengoa and José Luis Morales. You have had success with Señora, su hija , Mi pecado , Ave de cristal , A los 500 años , La pícara and El líder de los humildes . Por siempre ... is the name of her first video in 1997.
New members after 2000 are e.g. B. Gonzalo Hermosa Jr., Lin Angulo and the Japanese Makoto Shishido. The compositions are given new facets. These include Lección de vida , Saya sensual , Kamanchaca .
The current album was presented in 2006. The title 35 años ("35 years") refers to the age of the group.
Members
Gonzalo Hermosa Gonzalez : singer, composer and leader of the group, born on October 2nd, 1950 in Capinota ( Cochabamba ).
Elmer Hermosa : lead singer of the Kjarkas, born on November 13th 1960 in Capinota ( Cochabamba ). He is a composer and the younger brother of Gonzalo. He also plays typical instruments such as B. the Ronroco or the Charango .
Web links
- Los Kjarkas , official website of the group.
- Los Kjarkas special at Boliviaweb.