Biography
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Years Active
1963 – present (61 years)
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Founded In
Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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Members
- Gabriel Parra (1963 – 1988)
- Juanita Parra
Los Jaivas (1963 - ) is a well-known Chilean folk/progressive rock band.
The Parra brothers (Gabriel, drums Claudio, piano, and Eduardo, electric piano) met Mario Mutis (bass) and Eduardo "Gato" Alquinta (guitars and lead vocals) in their childhood and started to play music for fun. They became prominent in Viña del Mar, playing at many gigs with a bossa-nova/bolero style. The former name of the band was High & Bass. However, most of their fans believed they were called "Jaibas" (crabs). After a while they decide to correct their name and definitely change it to Los Jaivas.
After a first phase characterized by a of more tropical sound they began to blend styles, experimenting with hippie sound, progressive rock and avant-garde jazz. Their most recognized feature it's their blending of styles with the traditional sounds -and instruments- of the region.
Discography:
* El Volantin
* Todos juntos
* Sueños de America
* El indio,
* Palomita blanca soundtrack
* Sueños de America
* Mambo de machaguay
* Aconcagua,
* Alturas de machu picchu
* Si tu no estas
* Obras de violeta parra
* Mamalluca
* Hijos de la tierra
* Trilogia el rencuentro
* Arrebol.
Their most famous songs in Latin America are "Todos Juntos", "Mira Niñita" and "Sube a Nacer Conmigo Hermano", all which are especially cherished by Chileans.
After the military coup in Chile the band moved to Argentina, where they stayed until 1977 when they moved to France. The band formation changed in 1988, when Gabriel died in Peru. His daughter Juanita tooked his place at the drums. In January of 2003, "Gato" (the cat) Alquinta died in Coquimbo (Chile) of a heart attack. His death was a national mourning and more than 400.000 people attendend his funeral. The band continued playing with Gato's children: Ankatu (guitar), Eloy (saxophone)and Aurora (vocals).
A few months after Gato's death, Aurora left the band to continue her career as an actress. Her position was taken by Carlos Cabezas.
A year after Gato's death his son Eloy died too at the age of 33 after from a heart attack. His position was taken in the group by Francisco Bosco.
The band, after 43 years of activity, has gained a cult status and still perform live, regardless the tragic events ocurred in the past years.
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