Thu Feb 5
Perkutao is an Afro-Peruvian ensemble founded in 2005 by renowned musician, percussionist, zapateador (Afro-Peruvian tap dancer), and educator Percy Chinchilla, alongside percussionist Robin Axel. Other members of Perkutao include trumpeter Leo Maxey, guitarist Paolo Validivia, and bassist Gabriel Vivas. Their debut album, Mis Ancestros (“My Ancestors”), produced by acclaimed percussionist Manongo Mujica, is the fourth installment in the celebrated Perspectivas de la Música Afroperuana (Perspectives on Afro-Peruvian Music) series. Rooted in the rich rhythms of Afro-Peruvian tradition, Perkutao blends Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and jazz influences, creating a powerful expression of African diasporic culture. The ensemble has toured internationally, captivating audiences with its fusion of traditional sounds and contemporary global music. In 2022, Perkutao joined the legendary Cuban group, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, to celebrate the groups 70th anniversary in Matanzas, Cuba. Perkutao has performed numerous times at the National Theater of Peru, including in 2023 to celebrate World Folkore Day. Most recently, Perkutao performed to a near-capacity audience at Blues Alley—one of the most important jazz clubs in the United States—kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month and the Peruvian Jazz Series.