Click image for song "La Carishina"

Quito, now celebrating 25 years as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has long been renowned for its arts and artists. Music in the capital thrives with a creative spirit embodied in groups like Yavirac, part of the Musical Development and Diffusion Unit from Quito Municipality.

Founded in 1992, Yavirac specializes in traditional Ecuadorian music, interpreted by soulful guitars and Andean flutes. Yavirac means ‘spring water’, symbol of life itself -- a concept embodied in the band’s commitment to keeping alive traditional Ecuadorian culture.

Yavirac members include: Eduardo Vargas (2nd flute), Carlos Cando (1st flute), Bolívar Rivera (1st guitar) and Galo Pérez (3rd guitar). They play several national genres including tonada, pasillo, danzante, albazo, san juanito, pasacalle, chilena and capishca.

The band regularly performs at many important annual events in the capital, including Quito Homage, Quito of Queen Pageant and Agosto, Arte y Cultura (August, Culture and Art Month) .

The band has a CD of their tunes entitled Luz de América Quinteto. It includes 15 geat original and cover songs. The group is now busily working on a new CD, but still take the time for live performances. You can catch their next show at the upcoming festivities for the Foundation of San Francisco de Quito.

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Updated: 11/01/04