Concert
Mochi Parra & Rafael Manriquez
Thursday August 20, 2009
$12 gen. - 8pm
Amigos / Friends
Two of the most recognized Latin American voices in the West and East coasts, join forces for an evening of original and favorite songs. Join us for a great night of Latin American music with Chilean singer Mochi Parra, who returns to La Peña's stage from New York, and composer, songwriter and singer Rafael Manriquez.
As Amigos, long time friends and colleagues, Mochi and Rafael have worked together in different music projects. The firm and harmonious voice of Mochi plus the elaborated yet pleasant-sounding guitar style of Rafael create an original and fresh sound from the rich traditional South American repertoire.
Mochi Parra
Vocalist and songwriter Mochi Parra is a Chilean-born instrumentalist who was originally trained from the age five as a concert Cellist. In 1985 she was awarded with the "Luis Cruz Martinez" Chilean National Medal of music. After Mochi learned to play and sing Chilean folk music her repertoire soon evolved to embrace the indigenous and traditional music from Central and South America.
Mochi has dedicated the last 28 years of her musical career to the folklore of Latin America with special emphasis on music with Afro-Peruvian roots, as well as music from the Venezuelan highlands, and Argentina. Over the years Mochi has taught music and dance workshops introducing children and adults to the wealth and diversity of South American music. She collaborated with Human Rights organizations on numerous cultural and art projects.
For the last 10 years Mochi has worked alongside the celebrated guitarist and recognized master of Peruvian criollo and Afro-Peruvian music Carlos Hayre, recreating and introducing music pieces into their repertoire such as Manuel Antonio and Mama Nangue. She also has performed with Latin American singers such as Carlos Mejias Godoy, from Nicaragua, the Peruvian choreographer Lalo Izquierdo, Renato Freigran from Chile, Andres Laprida from Argentina, and Rafael Manriquez from Chile.
Mochi has performed in different venues around the country such as The Symphony Space, The Lincoln Center, The Museum of Natural History and The Blue Note in New York and The Brava Theater, La Peña Cultural Center de Berkeley, and La Peña del Sur in San Francisco.
Rafael Manríquez
One of the leading exponents of Latin American music in the San Francisco Bay Area for over twenty years, Rafael Manríquez brings us the gift of both his exquisite voice and remarkable skill on Latin American string instruments, ranging from the guitar to the charango to the cuatro and tiple. Originally from Santiago, Chile, Rafael is a passionate and well-loved composer and performer.
Through his music, he reveals the richness of Latin folk rhythms influenced by the Spanish, Native American and African cultures. His lyrics reflect the struggles and hopes of the people of this continent. He has performed throughout the Americas and Europe. His music has been recorded on over ten albums.
Rafael has performed as a solo artist and with several musical groups throughout Chile and Ecuador. Since moving to the Bay Area in 1977, Rafael has continued his work as a performer and a teacher. He has been an active leader at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, California - teaching classes in guitar and New Latin American Song, directing the La Peña Community Chorus, and organizing Latin American music festivals.
From 1980 - 1984, Rafael was the musical director and lead singer of Grupo Raíz, an internationally acclaimed Chilean ensemble that recorded three albums and toured extensively in the United States and abroad.
Present work. Since 1984, Rafael has focused on his career as a solo artist, creating several independently produced CDs and performing throughout California. His most recent CDs are "Que viva el canto", produced by Smithsonian Folkways, and "Aqui te traigo una Rosa", singing with Ingrid Rubis. In addition, he has published a CD for Children called "Alma de Niño".
