Guajaja in a cybernetic encounter

José Angel de la Curz Tagle, better known as "Guajaja", was in our program "Chatting with Peru.com". The charismatic singer of black music had a close contact with people around the world through the video-chat. His joy filled the cyberspace.

Why are you called Guajaja? In 1987, when I belonged to the dance group Peru Negro, they dubbed me "Guajaja" because of the way I laugh (laughs).

Have you studied music? To be honest, … no. I tried but I could not understand the staves. I play guitar, quena, zampoña and drums by ear.

Is there any musician in your family? When I was a kid, my mom used to say my dad was a great musician of percussion. I could never see him, but I heard my mom singing every morning.

Do you plan to travel to Argentina? I have friends there who tell me my music is popular, especially the songs "A mi que chu" and "Sacaroncha".

Have you traveled abroad to promote your music? In the 2000 I traveled to Singapore where I stayed for 15 days and I had two shows a day. At the beginning it was difficult for me to communicate, but I think music helped a lot.

What do you use to do in your spare time? I use to write a lot, but now that I already have most of my next album's songs, I'm practicing sports.
Did you compose your first album's songs? Most of them, the rest were musical adaptations.

How is it going your second album? I presented 15 songs to Sony and they said four of them could be singles. That pleases me a lot because I made them with great affection. We are still in the production phase and the record company will decide when to release it.

Speaking about your shows outside Peru, where have you had more success? I think in Miami, where I went for Independence Day. Around 1500 Peruvians gathered on that occasion. On November 17th I'll be going back there.
Which of your songs do you like more? The "Reagge - son". I usually sing funny songs, but this song is kind of reflexive due to its content.

Why do you sing black music and not salsa? I've been raised with it. I have played the "cajon" (Peruvian instrument resembling a box) since I was in school. I was part of many bands like Cofradias negrass, Peru Negro, Los Hermanos Santa Cruz among others.

Would you change your musical style to merengue or salsa? I sing black music, but it could be a possibility. In the new disc there are some songs with merengue hints.

Host: José Callo Romero
Asistance: Jean Paul Preciado
Photos: Wili Jiménez Torres
Sound: Ing. José Manco Becerra
Production: Carlos Huamán Chávez