Audio Sample 1

Audio Sample 2

Audio Sample 3

Audio Sample 4

 Audio Sample 5

Haunting indigenous

South American sounds

(Septet, i.e. 7 musicians)

Driving Afro-Cuban

rhythms and songs

(Septet)

Latin

Jazz

(Septet)

Contemporary

South American music

(Septet)

13-piece small Big Band

(Septet + 2 trumpets +

2 Trombones+ 2 Saxophones)

 Press Reviews

Biography

In the tradition of contemporary South American urban music, Tigramuna is an ongoing creative musical project inspired by the incredible diversity of cultures (Indigenous, African and European) that have shaped the musical landscape of Latin America.

From the haunting sounds of Indigenous South American instruments through the driving African derived rhythms of Cuba, Peru and Brazil to European art music and North American jazz there is a universe of sounds to explore and upon which to create new music.

This is a challenging project bringing together versatile musicians who understand and have a passion for these diverse musical art forms.

Tigramuna has played at some of the major jazz, world, folk and latin festivals as well as some of the main performing centres in Australia, keeping it's audiences dancing and/ or hypnotised with haunting melodies and instruments.

 

Their music has featured in film & documentary soundtracks, and in several CD compilations released through various record labels.

Tigramuna's main credits are:
 
  • ARIA award nomination for it's debut album (1998)
 
  • four-part documentary series for Australian television. Presented by the band's leader Carlos Villanueva, tracing his music, influences and roots back to South America (2004)
 
  • headline act for the Sydney Festival's Latino Festival at Darling Harbour (2002)
 
  • guest artist performing with an 800 voice choir and full orchestra at the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House (2001)
 
  • Australian "Across The Top" tour for Musica Viva Australia (6 weeks- May to June 2003)
 
  • Woodford Folk Festival- headline act for Australia's largest folk festival (2000)
 
  • TV debut on the popular show Good News Week (1999)
 
  • an ongoing commitment to music education through the Musica Viva In Schools program performing between 100 to 160 shows per year (since 1993)
 

Tigramuna was formed in 1993 by Wendy Upjohn and Carlos Villanueva to perform only new and original music of Latin American influence while exploring other styles and sounds. Within the context of the Australian-Latin American music scene at the time (and still today) this was a first, bold and risky step to take, but for the group's founders it was just the continuation of Carlos' original music work he had been developing in Chile for many years.

Musica Viva Australia (the country's leading fine music presenter) immediately engaged the group for it's schools programs and eventually for its national and international export concert touring programs.

 
 

back to top of page