# Los Jaivas

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Chilean musical group

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Los Jaivas Los Jaivas in 1972 Background information Origin Viña del Mar, Chile Genres Folk rock progressive rock andean music indigenous music psychedelic rock avant-garde Years active 1963–present Members Juanita Parra Claudio Parra Mario Mutis Carlos Cabezas Alan Reale Francisco Bosco Past members Gabriel Parra † Eduardo "Gato" Alquinta † Eduardo Parra Ankatu Alquinta Julio Anderson † Pájaro Canzani Alberto Ledo † Marcelo Muñoz Fernando Flores Eloy Alquinta † Aurora Alquinta Juan Pablo Bosco

**Los Jaivas** is a Chilean musical group who perform in folk, rock, psychedelic, and [progressive rock](/source/Progressive_rock) styles formed in 1963 in Viña Del Mar, Chile. They are considered one of the most important and influential artists of all time in Latin America.

## History

Los Jaivas was started by the brothers Eduardo, Claudio and Gabriel Parra, from [Viña del Mar](/source/Vi%C3%B1a_del_Mar). Together with their friends and classmates from high school at the Liceo Guillermo Rivera Cotapos, they first played on August 15, 1963, under the name of The High & Bass as a progressive-rock-andino group, mixing rock with South American ancestral music.[1][2]

At that time in Chile, it was customary to use English names for musical bands.[3] Another source indicates that the name is a reference to the members differences in height, since the word in Spanish for bass guitar is the same as that for short (bajo). Another source explains the name as a reference to the bass guitar played at a very high volume compared to the other instruments.[4] During the following six years, and with its stable formation (Eduardo on keyboards, Claudio on accordion and piano, Gabriel on drums, Gato on guitar and Mario on bass) the band played at parties and social gatherings in Viña del Mar, mainly performing music tropical, cha cha cha, bossa nova and boleros, with good results.[1][5]

They quickly realized that an English-sounding name was not appropriate for a folk band, so they changed it to *Jaivas* ("high bass").

Between 1970 and 1971, and with its Spanishized name "Los Jaivas", the group's concerts became absolute improvisations, without scripts or prepared schemes, and with each musical instrument generating its own atmosphere, even with the help of the audience. Improvisation led them to the appreciation of Latin American musical roots and to the exploration of the sounds of ancestral instruments, which allowed them to combine apparently irreconcilable styles, but which Los Jaivas decided to capture in their subsequent musical creation.[1][5]

Several concerts from this time, including those held at the Vanguard Music Festival of Viña del Mar (January 1970), the Sala de la Reforma of the Faculty of Musical Arts and Sciences of the [University of Chile](/source/University_of_Chile) (May 1970), the Cine Arte de Viña del Mar (June 1970) and the Park of the Cultural Institute of Las Condes (May 1970), in addition to the soundtrack prepared for a film that was never made (*¿Qué Hacer?* by Raúl Ruiz, soundtrack recorded in October 1970), are reflected in the five-disc collection entitled La Vorágine, which documents the stage known as the Prehistory of Los Jaivas.[1]

During this time, in addition, the group participates in the mythical Red Stone Festival and records its first official record label, homonymous, but known as El Volantín, due to its characteristic cover. The album, released in 1971, contains improvisations along the lines of the avant-garde explored previously, but it also includes the first compositional sketches, especially on songs like "Foto de Primera Comunión" and "Que o la Tumba Seras".[6]

In 1972 they released the *Todos Juntos* album. Its title track was a plea for unity among the people while "Mira Ninita" became another staple of the band's live set.[7]

However the next year the band was forced to take refuge in [Argentina](/source/Argentina) after [the military dictatorship took over](/source/Chilean_1973_coup) in Chile.[4] In 1977, they headed to [France](/source/France), where they resided for a long time.

During this period of exile, they released the albums *Los Jaivas (El Indio)* (1975), *Cancion Del Sur* (1977) and their most acclaimed album *[Alturas de Macchu Picchu](/source/Alturas_de_Macchu_Picchu)* (1981), which was based on the poems of [Pablo Neruda](/source/Pablo_Neruda).

The band also flew to Peru to record a seminal concert video on the grounds of the famous Incan castle.[7]

Subsequent albums included *Aconcagua* (1982) and *Obras De Violeta Parra* (1984). The latter album was based on the works of the Chilean communist folk singer [Violeta Parra](/source/Violeta_Parra) (unrelated to the Parra brothers).

Tragedy struck the band in 1988 when Gabriel died in [Peru](/source/Peru) in a [car crash](/source/Car_crash). His daughter Juanita took his place behind the drums. In January 2003, the main singer, Gato Alquinta, died in [Coquimbo](/source/Coquimbo), Chile, of a heart attack while swimming in the sea.

Gato's three sons soon joined the band to replace him: Ankatu (guitar), Eloy (saxophone) and Aurora (vocals). Aurora left shortly after, and Eloy died of a heart attack in 2004. Ankatu, however, is still a member of the band.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Among various other activities, in 2006 the group performed a historic concert on [Easter Island](/source/Easter_Island), in addition to the [Chilean Navy](/source/Chilean_Navy) orchestra, and as part of the celebrations for the month of the sea. On September 20, 2006, [Canal 13](/source/Canal_13_(Chilean_TV_channel)) broadcasts the television special *Los Jaivas en Rapa Nui: Ojos Que Miran el Universo*, which includes fragments of the recital, as well as interviews with the group and with inhabitants of the Island. The DVD that includes the event It was finally launched on the market in November 2007 under the title of *Los Jaivas en Rapa Nui*.[8] On March 22, 2011, Los Jaivas make a presentation in tribute to the then American president [Barack Obama](/source/Barack_Obama) in the courtyard of Los Cañones of the [Palacio de La Moneda](/source/Palacio_de_La_Moneda_(Chile)).[9]

## Homage

The band celebrated its 50th anniversary in an open concert on the front of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Santiago de Chile. Special guests were [Inti Illimani](/source/Inti-Illimani), [Los Tres](/source/Los_Tres) and [Congreso](/source/Congreso) among others. The concert attracted a multitude of over 60,000 people, causing major upheaval in the city, and the police had to intervene with water cannons.[10]

## Biopic

In March 2013, the same year as the celebration of the band's 50th anniversary, Chilean-Dutch filmmaker [Erasmo de la Parra](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Erasmo_de_la_Parra&action=edit&redlink=1) (son of Claudio Parra) convinced the musicians to make a biopic based on the band's formative years. The film would be set in the 1960s in Viña del Mar, from the time they were known as "The High Bass" to the time they became known as "Los Jaivas". The director revealed on the film's official Facebook page that the production would have gone through long negotiations with Netflix, but that the production house eventually chose other projects. The film, titled *The High Bass*, is in pre-production with an unknown release date, and with the participation of Belgian, Dutch, and British producers.[11][12]

In 2020, the 140-minute documentary *Los Jaivas: Todos Juntos* was released, honouring the band's 55-year history.[13] It was directed by Rodolfo Garate.

## Members

### Current members

- [Claudio Parra](/source/Claudio_Parra) – keyboards, piano, vocals (1963–present)

- [Mario Mutis](/source/Mario_Mutis) – vocals, bass guitar, guitars, percussion (1963–1975; 1979–1985, 1996–present)

- [Juanita Parra](/source/Juanita_Parra) – drums, percussion (1990–present)

- Carlos Cabezas – vocals, charango, violin, flute (1998–present)

- Francisco Bosco – saxophone, organ (2004–present)

- Alan Reale – guitars, vocals (2013–present)

### Former members

- [Eduardo Parra](/source/Eduardo_Parra) – keyboards, organ, percussion (1963–2009)

- [Eduardo "Gato" Alquinta](/source/Eduardo_Alquinta) – vocals, guitars (1963–2003; his death)

- [Gabriel Parra](/source/Gabriel_Parra) – drums, percussion (1963–1988; his death)

- Julio Anderson – bass guitar (1975; died 2023)

- Alberto Ledo – quena, charango (1975–1980; died 2010)

- Carlos Canzani – bass guitar, guitars (1975–1979)

- Fernando Flores – bass guitar (1988–1995)

- Marcelo Muñoz – drums, percussion (1989–1990)

- Aurora Alquinta – vocals (2003)

- Ankatu Alquinta – vocals, guitars (2003–2013)

- [Eloy Alquinta](/source/Eloy_Alquinta) – vocals, saxophone, percussion (2003–2004; his death)

- Carlos Eduardo Gonzalez - guitar (2013)

- Juan Pablo Bosco – drums, percussion (2004–2005)

## Discography

- *[El Volantín](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=El_Volant%C3%ADn&action=edit&redlink=1)* 1971

- *Todos juntos* 1972

- *La Ventana* 1973

- *Palomita blanca (Movie soundtrack)* 1973 (Released in 1992)

- *Sueños de América* 1974 (Released in 1979)

- *Los Jaivas (El indio)* 1975

- *Canción Del Sur* 1977

- *Mambo de Machaguay (Compilation)* 1978

- *[Alturas de Macchu Picchu](/source/Alturas_de_Macchu_Picchu)* (based on lyrics from *[The Heights of Macchu Picchu](/source/The_Heights_of_Macchu_Picchu)* by [Pablo Neruda](/source/Pablo_Neruda)) 1981

- *Aconcagua* 1982

- *Obras de Violeta Parra* 1984

- *Si tu no estás* 1989

- *Hijos de la Tierra* 1995

- *Trilogia: El Rencuentro* 1997

- *Mamalluca* 1999

- *En El Bar-Restaurant Lo Que Nunca Se Supo (Compilation)* 2000

- *Los Jaivas En Concierto: Gira Chile 2000 (Live)* 2000

- *Arrebol* 2001

- *Obras Cumbres (Compilation)* 2003

- *La Vorágine I, Pan Negro (Improvisations 1969-70)* 2003

- *La Vorágine II, La Reforma (Improvisations 1969-70)* 2003

- *La Vorágine III, El Tótem (Improvisations 1969-70)* 2003

- *La Vorágine IV, Mucha Intensidad (Improvisations 1969-70)* 2003

- *La Vorágine V, ¿Qué Hacer? (Improvisations 1969-70)* 2003

- *Serie de Oro: Grandes Exitos (Compilation)* 2004

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.fundacionlosjaivas.cl/) (in Spanish)

- [Los Jaivas biography and discography](https://www.discogs.com/artist/1006141-Los-Jaivas)

- [Official Los Jaivas music store](https://tiendaelvolantin.cl/)

- [Los Jaivas](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1097480/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-musicapopular.cl_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-musicapopular.cl_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-musicapopular.cl_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-musicapopular.cl_1-3) ["Los Jaivas"](http://www.musicapopular.cl/grupo/los-jaivas/). *MusicaPopular.cl* (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Pareles, Jon (1985-05-01). ["Music/Noted in Brief; Chilean Band Offers South American Pop"](https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/arts/music-noted-in-brief-chilean-band-offers-south-american-pop.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2022-06-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["'People were put in jail for music': a brief history of Latin American rock"](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/dec/16/people-were-put-in-jail-for-music-a-brief-history-of-latin-american-rock). *the Guardian*. 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2022-06-02.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-npr_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-npr_4-1) Zolov, Eric (2011-03-18). ["Los Jaivas: How The Band Tried To Mend A Broken Chile In The 1970s"](https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2011/03/19/134631953/los-jaivas-trying-to-glue-a-broken-chile). *NPR*. Retrieved 2022-06-02.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stock_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stock_5-1) Stock, Freddy (2002). *Los caminos que se abren: La vida mágica de Los Jaivas, Santiago, Grijalbo*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Los Jaivas REBELDE 1"](http://www.dospotencias.com.ar/rebelde/jaivas.htm). *www.dospotencias.com.ar*. Retrieved 15 October 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wiser_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wiser_7-1) Wiser, Danny (2020-12-13). ["CHILE: Alturas De Machu Pichu - Los Jaivas"](https://www.200worldalbums.com/post/chile-alturas-de-machu-pichu-los-jaivas). *200worldalbums.com*. Retrieved 2024-06-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Este 26 de noviembre LANZAMIENTO DVD "LOS JAIVAS EN RAPA NUI""](https://web.archive.org/web/20071211080003/http://www.apes.cl/wordpress/?p=408). *APES Asesorías* (in Spanish). 23 November 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.apes.cl/wordpress/?p=408) on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Mini recital de Los Jaivas en La Moneda generó polémica en la red"](http://www.cooperativa.cl/mini-recital-de-los-jaivas-en-la-moneda-genero-polemica-en-la-red/prontus_nots/2011-03-21/220035.html). *Cooperativa.cl* (in Spanish). 21 March 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Moraga, Marcos (2013-08-16). ["Los Jaivas celebran sus 50 años de historia con más de 60 mil asistentes"](https://www.latercera.com/noticia/los-jaivas-celebran-sus-50-anos-de-historia-con-mas-de-60-mil-asistentes/). *La Tercera*. Retrieved 2022-06-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Suárez, Constanza (2017-03-28). ["High Bass: preparan la primera película acerca de Los Jaivas"](https://www.latercera.com/culto/2017/03/28/high-bass-preparan-la-primera-pelicula-acerca-los-jaivas/). *La Tercera*. Retrieved 2022-06-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Hub, Filmarket (2018-07-23). ["Interview with Erasmo Parra, author of "High Bass" Special Mention at 5th Pitchbox"](https://medium.com/filmarket-hub-academy/interview-with-erasmo-parra-author-of-high-bass-special-mention-at-5th-pitchbox-9c253bf02fe1). *Filmarket Hub*. Retrieved 2022-06-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [*Los Jaivas: Todos juntos (2020)*](https://letterboxd.com/film/los-jaivas-todos-juntos/). Retrieved 2024-06-14 – via letterboxd.com.

v t e Fundamental figures of Chilean music 1987 José Goles 1988 Luis Aguirre Pinto 1989 Francisco Flores del Campo 1990 Vicente Bianchi 1991 Donato Román y Ester Soré 1992 Valentín Trujillo 1993 Margot Loyola 1994 Gabriela Pizarro 1995 Antonio Prieto 1996 Dúo Rey-Silva 1997 Los Jaivas 1998 Hernán "Nano" Núñez 1999 Sonia y Myriam 2000 Fernando Rosas 2001 Luis Advis 2002 Los Ángeles Negros 2003 Isabel y Ángel Parra 2004 Patricio Manns 2005 Lucho Gatica 2006 Buddy Richard 2007 Silvia Infantas 2008 Los Huasos Quincheros 2009 Palmenia Pizarro 2010 Tito Fernández 2011 Cecilia Pantoja 2012 Calatambo Albarracín 2013 Fernando García 2014 Roberto Lecaros 2015 Gastón Guzmán 2016 Willy Bascuñán 2017 Quilapayún 2018 Jorge González 2019 Carmen Barros 2020 Eduardo Gatti 2021 José Alfredo Fuentes 2022 Ginette Acevedo and Julio Zegers 2023 Myriam Hernández and La Sonora de Tommy Rey

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Los Jaivas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Jaivas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Jaivas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.