Felix Casaverde

Félix Casaverde was an Afro-Peruvian guitarist and composer known for his unique musical style that blends African, Spanish, and Indigenous Peruvian elements. With a career spanning nearly five decades, he gained recognition for his complex instrumental work and his ability to express Afro-Peruvian identity through music. Casaverde's contributions were significant in elevating the presence of Afro-Peruvian culture in Peru’s music scene, especially around the 1950s. He collaborated with notable artists like Chabuca Granda and was known for overcoming the challenges of performing traditional Afro-Peruvian guitar music, which typically involves percussion like the cajón, in solo settings. His work captures a sophisticated poetic universe, reflecting themes of black identity, tradition, modernity, and experimentation in Peruvian coastal music.

His recordings include deeply expressive pieces and interpretations of African Peruvian folk music, showcasing a unique guitar technique influenced by both classical training and folk performance. Félix Casaverde’s music continues to influence Peruvian and Afro-Peruvian music scenes and has reached audiences not only in Peru but also in cities with significant Peruvian immigrant communities such as Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

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