Susana Baca
Encyclopedia
Susana Esther Baca de la Colina (born Chorrillos, Lima Province
, Peru
, 1944) is a prominent Peru
vian singer-songwriter; two-times Latin Grammy Award
winner. She has been a key figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru.
In July 2011 she was named Peru's Minister of Culture
in the Ollanta Humala
government. becoming the second afro-peruvian cabinet minister in the history of independent Peru.
In november 2011 she was elected for the OAS (Organization of American States) to be the President of the Commission of Culture for the period 2011 - 2013.
of Peru, and part of greater Lima
. Her music is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. Her backing band features indigenous Peruvian instruments such as the cajón
("wooden box", whose origins lie in an upturned fruit crate), udu
(clay pot), and quijada (jawbone of a burro
) "cheko" a dried gourd, as well as acoustic guitar and electric upright baby bass. Although many of her songs are based on traditional forms such as the landó
or vals
, she also incorporates elements of Cuban and Brazil
ian music. Her debut CD for Luaka Bop, produced by Greg Landau
, brought her to the attention of World Music audiences worldwide.
Her songs are poetic (with lyrics composed by some of Latin America's premier poets, with whom she collaborates), rich with evocative imagery, and her voice is delicate yet soulful. She has an elegant and engaging stage presence, gliding gracefully about the stage while singing. Her delivery is so deeply felt and emotion-filled as to project a spiritual character, even in songs that are not expressly religious in subject matter.
Baca is an important figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru (see, for example, dancers from the Perú Negro
troupe, as well as "Festejo
" music), which, like the culture that produced it, had previously been little recognized, but which is now regarded as an important part of Peruvian culture. Baca has contributed much to its international popularity, which began in 1995 with the release of the compilation CD The Soul of Black Peru. The album, which features the Baca song "Maria Lando", was released by the Luaka Bop
record label, which belongs to ex-Talking Heads
frontman David Byrne
.
Michael Heumann from "Stylus Magazine" says: "Maria Lando put Susana Baca on the world music map. Since then, she has released a number of very popular albums, most on Luaka Bop, and all of incredibly high quality."
Timothy G. Merello from "PopMatters" says -about Susana's performance in Old Town School of Folk Music — Chicago: "Susana Baca, more than just a singer, is a poet, a historian, a spelunker and explorer of Afro-Peruvian folklore and music [...] she and her band entertain, educate and entrance a sold out crowd with a musical melange of rhythms, melodies, beats, and dance."
While Deanne Sole also from "PopMatters" says -about Susana's 2009 album Seis Poemas (Six Poems): "After watching Peruvian singer Susana Baca perform on an open stage in burning heat with malfunctioning equipment, one can’t help but respect Baca not only as a voice but as a performer, as a person [...] Seis Poemas, a small album but a charming one."
With her husband, Bolivia
n Ricardo Pereyra, Baca founded the Instituto Negrocontinuo (Black Continuum Institute) in her seafront home in Chorrillos. It fosters the collection, preservation, and creation of Afro-Peruvian culture, music, and dance.
for Best Folk Album, for her Lamento Negro CD besides a nomination for the Grammy as "Best World Music Album".
In november 2011 she won the second Latin Grammy of her career for the collaboration she made with the Urban Group "Calle 13" in the song "Latinoamerica" (Latin America) that was recording in Peru also with the vocal collaborations of Brazilian singer-songwriter "Maria Rita" and Colombian recording artist "Toto" La Momposina.
In november 2011 she was elected for the OAS (Organization of American States) to be the President of the Commission of Culture for the period 2011 - 2013.
Lima Province
Lima Province is located in the central coast of Peru and is the only province in the country not belonging to any of the twenty-five regions. Its capital is Lima, which is also the nation's capital....
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, 1944) is a prominent Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian singer-songwriter; two-times Latin Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winner. She has been a key figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru.
In July 2011 she was named Peru's Minister of Culture
Ministry of Culture (Peru)
The Ministry of Culture in Peru was created on 20 July, 2010, by Law Nº 29565 in Government of Alan García.The inaugural minister was Juan Ossio Acuña after his appointment on 4 September 2010.-List of Culture Ministers:...
in the Ollanta Humala
Ollanta Humala
Ollanta Moisés Humala Tasso is a Peruvian politician and the President of Peru. Humala, who previously served as an army officer, lost the presidential election in 2006 but won the 2011 presidential election in a run-off vote...
government. becoming the second afro-peruvian cabinet minister in the history of independent Peru.
In november 2011 she was elected for the OAS (Organization of American States) to be the President of the Commission of Culture for the period 2011 - 2013.
Career
Baca grew up in a coastal fishing village Chorrillos, a district of the Lima ProvinceLima Province
Lima Province is located in the central coast of Peru and is the only province in the country not belonging to any of the twenty-five regions. Its capital is Lima, which is also the nation's capital....
of Peru, and part of greater Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
. Her music is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. Her backing band features indigenous Peruvian instruments such as the cajón
Cajón
A cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front face with the hands.-Origins and evolution:...
("wooden box", whose origins lie in an upturned fruit crate), udu
Udu
for other uses see Udu The udu is an African drum originated by the Igbo people of Nigeria. In the Igbo language, udu means vessel. Actually being a water jug with an additional hole, it was played by women for ceremonial uses. Usually the udu is made of clay...
(clay pot), and quijada (jawbone of a burro
Burro
The burro is a small donkey used primarily as a pack animal. In addition, significant numbers of feral burros live in the Southwestern United States, where they are protected by law, and in Mexico...
) "cheko" a dried gourd, as well as acoustic guitar and electric upright baby bass. Although many of her songs are based on traditional forms such as the landó
Landó (music)
Landó is an Afro-Peruvian form of music in the musica criolla genre. Its unique sound had been likened to the American blues genre.-Influences:...
or vals
Vals (dance)
Vals is an Argentine tango style, the tango version of waltz. Unlike Argentine Tango and Milonga, there are no stopping figures. The vals is danced in a continuous movement. Not to be confused with the Peruvian Waltz, most widely known as Vals criollo....
, she also incorporates elements of Cuban and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian music. Her debut CD for Luaka Bop, produced by Greg Landau
Greg Landau
Greg Landau is a San Francisco-based music and video producer, and an instructor of music and Latin American Studies focused on the social movements that produced revolutionary music and art. He is a five-time Grammy nominee who has produced over 40 CDs and numerous film scores including serving as...
, brought her to the attention of World Music audiences worldwide.
Her songs are poetic (with lyrics composed by some of Latin America's premier poets, with whom she collaborates), rich with evocative imagery, and her voice is delicate yet soulful. She has an elegant and engaging stage presence, gliding gracefully about the stage while singing. Her delivery is so deeply felt and emotion-filled as to project a spiritual character, even in songs that are not expressly religious in subject matter.
Baca is an important figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru (see, for example, dancers from the Perú Negro
Perú Negro
Perú Negro is an Afro-Peruvian musical ensemble founded in 1969 to celebrate and preserve Peru's black culture and música criolla. Ronaldo Campos de la Colina founded the Lima-based group with 12 family members...
troupe, as well as "Festejo
Festejo
Festejo is a festive form of Peruvian music. It can be seen as a celebration of Perú's independence and the emancipation of slaves, or as an attempt to reinvent diaspora African music without reference to slavery. Composers of all races have contributed to the development of festejo repertoire...
" music), which, like the culture that produced it, had previously been little recognized, but which is now regarded as an important part of Peruvian culture. Baca has contributed much to its international popularity, which began in 1995 with the release of the compilation CD The Soul of Black Peru. The album, which features the Baca song "Maria Lando", was released by the Luaka Bop
Luaka Bop
Luaka Bop is a world music-oriented record label established by David Byrne, former guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer of the art rock/new wave band Talking Heads. It has been a wholly independent label since leaving V2 in 2006. Previous distribution relationships included Warner and Virgin...
record label, which belongs to ex-Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
frontman David Byrne
David Byrne (musician)
David Byrne is a musician and artist, best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the American new wave band Talking Heads, which was active between 1975 and 1991. Since then, Byrne has released his own solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography,...
.
Reviews
According to several important critics Susana is more than just an afro-Peruvian diva.Michael Heumann from "Stylus Magazine" says: "Maria Lando put Susana Baca on the world music map. Since then, she has released a number of very popular albums, most on Luaka Bop, and all of incredibly high quality."
Timothy G. Merello from "PopMatters" says -about Susana's performance in Old Town School of Folk Music — Chicago: "Susana Baca, more than just a singer, is a poet, a historian, a spelunker and explorer of Afro-Peruvian folklore and music [...] she and her band entertain, educate and entrance a sold out crowd with a musical melange of rhythms, melodies, beats, and dance."
While Deanne Sole also from "PopMatters" says -about Susana's 2009 album Seis Poemas (Six Poems): "After watching Peruvian singer Susana Baca perform on an open stage in burning heat with malfunctioning equipment, one can’t help but respect Baca not only as a voice but as a performer, as a person [...] Seis Poemas, a small album but a charming one."
With her husband, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n Ricardo Pereyra, Baca founded the Instituto Negrocontinuo (Black Continuum Institute) in her seafront home in Chorrillos. It fosters the collection, preservation, and creation of Afro-Peruvian culture, music, and dance.
Awards
In 2002, Susana Baca won the Latin Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Folk Album, for her Lamento Negro CD besides a nomination for the Grammy as "Best World Music Album".
In november 2011 she won the second Latin Grammy of her career for the collaboration she made with the Urban Group "Calle 13" in the song "Latinoamerica" (Latin America) that was recording in Peru also with the vocal collaborations of Brazilian singer-songwriter "Maria Rita" and Colombian recording artist "Toto" La Momposina.
Political Career
In July, 2011 the elected new Presidente of Peru, Ollanta Humala announced that Baca would become his Minister of Culture. July 28th she sworn becoming the second afro-peruvian cabinet minister in the history of independent Peru.In november 2011 she was elected for the OAS (Organization of American States) to be the President of the Commission of Culture for the period 2011 - 2013.
Discography
- 1987 - Poesía y Canto Negro
- 1991 - Vestida de Vida, Canto Negro de las Américas!
- 1992 - Fuego y Agua
- 1997 - Susana Baca
- 2000 - Eco De Sombras
- 2001 - Lamento Negro
- 2002 - Espiritu Vivo
- 2004 - The Best Of Susana Baca
- 2006 - Travesias
- 2009 - Seis Poemas
- 2010 - Mama
- 2010 - Cantos de Adoración
- 2011 - Afrodiaspora
External links
- Susana Baca page from Luaka Bop site
- An Interview with Susana Baca