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Ecuadorian "charanguista", Manolo Criollo, was born in Sangolqui parrish, in Ecuador's Pichincha Province. He is one of the worlds' most accomplished masters of this typical Andean five-stringed instrument, which resemples a small mandolin.

Criollo's mission is to identify and promote popular Ecuadorian and Latin American music, especially those uniquely Ecuadorian melodies such as "El Aguacate" (The Avocado), "Seré tu sombra" (I Will Be Your Shadow), and quintessentially Latin American rhythms such as sanjuanitos, pasacalles, pasillos, yaraví, paseitos and others.

Criollo has toured all around the world, sharing his unique musical style in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the United States. Audiences worldwide have discovered in the charango's something special, an emotional expressiveness that transcends language and culture.

Criollo's first CD "De mis manos" (From My Hands) showcases the talents of this great talent. A few months ago, Criollo appeared on Don Francisco's enormously popular show, Sabado Gigante, in Miami and was declared by Don Francisco to be the best charanguista in Latin America. Ecuadorians can take pride in counting among their countrymen such a big musical star.

Criollo describes his artistic life, since he was a child, as the opportunity to explore and show what popular music, charango and skillful hands can do.