Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciro Hurtado.
Hi Ciro, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music has always been an important part of my life. I was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in the rain forests of northeastern Peru. At an early age I began learning the traditional and popular music of the region as well as of the neighboring countries Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil. Being part of a large family where almost everybody could play an instrument and sing effortlessly in three-part harmony planted the initial seeds of interest to start learning how to play the guitar. Because of my ethnic background from my mother’s Amazonian tribe-Portuguese descent and my father’s Andean Quechua lineage, I was able to assimilate through my musical family the intricacies and peculiarities of the Peruvian mountain, jungle, and coastal repertoire. Such an early musical perspective in life made me understand and appreciate the richness and importance of preserving the essence of my culture and the desire to spread such a legacy. It also made me curious for creating my own musical compositions using that legacy as the basis.
I began studying music formally as a teenager with guitarist and composer Augusto Portugal in Lima, Peru. I also had the fortune to study with Raul Garcia Zarate, composer and guitarist known for promoting the traditional music of Ayacucho. I was also very much influenced by the Beatles and Latin American and American rock blues groups such as The Byrds, Allman Brothers, BB King, and Albert King.
In 1975, I came to the United States, fleeing the economic instability and lack of opportunities to flourish as a professional musician in Peru. In 1981 I studied for a year at the Musician’s Institute of Technology, at that time known as the Guitar Institute of Technology. I performed in several musical ensembles in Los Angeles and Peru, finally forming a Latin American folk-jazz ensemble, Huayucaltia (pronounced why-you-CALL-tia) in 1985.
Huayucaltia means unity in the Nahuatl language. The members of the group come from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and the United States. Originally the group was focused on promoting music of solidarity with the refugees, immigrants, and political prisoners from Central America. As musical director for the group, I developed a more sophisticated approach to our performances, composing musical pieces that combine the different instruments, rhythms, and song styles typical of Latin American traditional music with rock, jazz, and classical music styles.
I was fortunate to work for a few years with Strunz and Farah, an accomplished guitar duo. Together, we toured Peru, Cuba, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. In 1988, I formed the Ciro Hurtado Group to feature more of my original compositions and work with local Latin Jazz legends such as Justo Almario, Joey Heredia, Richie Garcia, Guillermo Guzman, Alex Acuña, Otmaro Ruiz, Pedro Eustache. I also began working on film scores and had the good fortune to participate in Baraka and several other projects that feature my fusion of traditional Peruvian music styles in modern compositions.
More recently, I have had the pleasure of working with Grammy award-winning musicians in the World and New Age genres. I am featured on the Winds of Samsara, a recording by Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman that won a Grammy in 2014. I also toured with Ricky Kej to Switzerland to perform at the Children’s Environmental Health Summit in 2018. I have collaborated with artists in the Children’s Music category, such as Msr. G – for his album Los Animales, which won a Grammy in the Children’s category. My album, Ayahuasca Dreams, was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2015. The opportunities to work with musicians from all over the world have enriched my compositions and broadened my ideas about how to reach audiences through music. More recently, I have invited singers from Peru, Mexico, and Argentina and featured them on my recordings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating the path of an artist is far from smooth sailing. However, my journey was eased by arriving in Los Angeles during a pivotal time when a wave of immigrants from South and Central America sought refuge from repressive regimes. This influx created a vibrant atmosphere filled with festivals, concerts, and events hungry for fresh Latin American music. Fortunately, I found myself embraced by an audience eager to hear our stories and melodies, providing crucial support from the outset.
I think the biggest challenge for most artists is that while the artistic rewards are so fulfilling, achieving financial stability requires a diverse approach. Touring, corporate, studio, teaching gigs provide income to most of the musicians arriving in the big cities, highlighting the necessity of diversifying their revenue streams. However, there are fewer and fewer venues to perform in Los Angeles if you are not a commercial big-name artist. There are fewer grant opportunities for solo artists who are not part of non-profit organizations. I keep on working at my art. It requires a lifetime to master the music of the Americas. My work ethic requires that I maintain my technique on the guitar through daily practice. I continue to share my work through social media platforms, recordings, and performances, and I keep my work alive through new compositions and genres.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a guitarist and composer specializing in World Music infused with a distinctive Latin American essence. My versatility allows me to craft compositions ranging from deeply rooted folk melodies utilizing traditional instruments to crafting catchy pop-infused songs with vibrant rhythms. Additionally, I can create solo guitar pieces that seamlessly blend classical and jazz influences. Whether performing solo or with my band, I strive to deliver captivating performances that transport audiences on a musical journey, allowing the melodies and the rhythms to tell a story, to bring my audience to a place and time, and to have them feel the emotions that my work evokes.
I have released twelve albums under my name, an additional six with Huayucaltia, and collaborated on many releases with other artists. Each recording reflects my musical evolution. I am pleased to have received a Latin Grammy nomination for my album Ayahuasca Dreams and an award for
“Best World Album” by ZMR for Altiplanos in 2019. Now, with my latest release, “Paisajes,” I invite listeners into my world of soundscapes and melodies, a culmination of a lifetime of musical exploration. I am excited to be able to showcase this release on a tour to Peru in June of this year. And the journey continues, each day bringing new rhythms and melodies to discover, new compositions to record, and new musical partnerships to explore.
What sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly blend various musical styles while staying true to the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. I take pride in my dedication to exploring new musical horizons while honoring the traditions that inspire me.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has undoubtedly played a role in my journey, although I believe that preparation and dedication have been equally crucial. I have always believed in the adage that luck favors the prepared, and I have witnessed this firsthand in my career. While hard work and discipline are constants in my life, I acknowledge the fortunate timing of certain opportunities. Whether it is being in the right place at the right time to join a band or having the support of an audience hungry for Latin American music, luck has certainly opened doors for me. However, I also recognize that luck alone is not enough. It is the combination of being prepared to seize opportunities when they arise and putting in the consistent effort to hone my craft that has propelled me forward. My daily guitar practice regimen especially intensified before concerts or tours, ensures that I am always ready to make the most of any lucky breaks that come my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cirohurtado.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cirohurtadomusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cirohurtado
- Twitter: www.x.com/Ciro_Hurtado
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/cirohurtado
Image Credits
Ciro Hurtado
Frank Machuca
