Pedro Villagra

While pursuing anthropology studies at Santiago de Chile, talented Pedro Villagra first immersed himself in music. His earliest alternative endeavor, Santiago del Nuevo Extremo, came together in 1977 and incorporated varied elements into traditional local folklore. Next he launched Huara, a project recognized for blending Latin folk with outside sounds and rhythms. Kunza served as his third undertaking, operating as an experimental jazz fusion ensemble. Across the 1980s Pedro Villagra supplied key support to emerging Chilean acts, among them Pablo Herrera in 1983 and the Latin rock band Upa! in 1986. In the mid-’90s he entered the Latin folk group Inti Illimani, after which he formed Pedroband, released Pagano in 1998, and appeared on the Oasis Jazz Sampler compilation.