SUSANA BACA – One of the best voices of worldmusic.
Susana Baca, the artist who contributed decisively to the revival of traditional Afro-Peruvian music, will be presenting her latest album at PLAI Festiva, “Afrodiaspora”. The Wall Street Journal says: “It is probably the most fresh and exciting lesson that ethnomusicology’ll ever hear.”
Six years ago, PLAI only existed in the dreams of a few youngsters. Brought and held together by friendship and common dreams, they put their heart into creating a festival just as they wanted: with echoes of the wonderful diversity of worldmusic and arts free of constraints.
After five editions, PLAI is the biggest worldmusic festival in Europe, made 100% by volunteers and is also the most important event of its kind in Romania. More than just a music festival, PLAI grants for the quality of its artists and guests from all corners of the world, being the largest cultural hub in Romania – gathering over 45 organizations (embassies, cultural centers, NGOs) that provide a total of 200 activities in the three-day festival.
Susana Baca was born in Chorrillos, a district of the city outskirts Lima, Peru. Susana Baca has succeeded in bringing to the attention of the world Afro-Peruvian music heritage. She grew up with old Afro-Peruvian folk music, and her work continues in the same direction at the Instituto Negrocontinuo.
Those who listen to Susana Baca’s music primarily feel struggle, suffering, identity expression, and the central point for the artist is her relationship with her African ancestors who were transported as slaves to South America. Slaves brought their traditional music, which blended with cultural forms that were encountered in the realms of slavery, resulting in a new form of artistic expression. She grew up in an Afro-Peruvian poor community on the outskirts of Lima, in a time when the status of Afro-Peruvian was inferior. Although in her childhood she lived in a neighborhood where there was no electricity, she learned music from family, neighbors, friends who met and played various instruments, some improvised, composing musical pieces ad-hoc which were the basis of traditional songs. Thus, she got familiar with the music of her people ever since she was a child. Although she always wanted to become a singer, her parents advised her to choose something more financially secure, so she became a teacher.
She dropped out after three years to pursue her dream. Despite all the difficulties, she continued on the road she chose. Alongside her husband, who is a sociologist, she gathered traditional folk music from around the country, which she interprets in her own style. She goes through small towns, listening to songs, taking notes and playing the songs through the filter of her musical personality. She began singing accompanied only by a guitar, but public response was so enthusiastic that she continued to sing. Susana Baca’s music is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. She uses traditional instruments such as the cajon, udu, quijada, and contemporary instruments and collaborates with many Latin poets, who write lyrics for her songs. Her music is unique: combining the sensitivity, sensuality of Spanish music with traditional African rhythms.
In 1990 her first album comes out, “Del Fuego I del Agua” which explores the many musical styles influenced by African music. The album is accompanied by a book that also aims to preserve this musical heritage. In 1992 she opens, with her husband, Instituto Negrocontinuo, an organization that continues spreading tradition, so that the music and work reaches a new generation of singers faster. In 1995 the album “The Soul of Black Peru” is launched, marking her international debut. She started a U.S. tour, then headed to Europe and from there to worldwide recognition is just a small step. Although on the album “Cross of Sombras”, that came out in 2000, the musical arrangements are more complex, due to the collaboration with several musicians, the great voice of Susana Baca ensures the success of the disc. With the increasing importance that is given to worldmusic, Susana Baca’s music has become even more appreciated.
She stressed that her goal was always to interpret old, traditional songs, in a new way. Her, unrivaled, insightful, voice, fully manages to draw attention to the message of the songs.
Her most recent album, “Afrodiaspora”, that came out this year, explores the African influence on Latin American music and culture. The album includes traditional rhythms and styles from Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Puerto Rico. Related to her album, the music and her work in general, Susana Baca says: “I feel the music from Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Venezuela as if it were mine. We traveled to many places in Latin America, where descendants of Africans live. Many of them are poor and live in places neglected by governments, but at the same time, these people have a spiritual force which expresses the African presence. So I tried to sing songs from these places and I tried to honor the bloodshed and how African presence influenced Latin America. ”
Currently, she is recognized as one of the great musicians who knew how to gather, preserve and pass on in its own sensitive and complex way, a rich musical tradition.
At PLAI, Susana Baca will perform on 17 September, starting 22:00 o’clock.
Also, in the same day, the artist will hold a lecture about Afro-Latin culture.
Selective discography:
Del Fuego i del Agua (1990)
The Soul of Black Peru (1995)
Susana Baca (1997)
Eco de Sombras (2000)
Lamento Negro (2001)
Espiritu Vivo (2002)
Seis Poemas (2009)
Afrodiaspora (2011)
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