Chico Trujillo are a Chilean New cumbia band merging cumbia, ska, reggae and rock, among other styles.

Chico Trujillo
Chico Trujillo at a 2008 concert
Background information
OriginVilla Alemana, Chile
GenresNew cumbia, bolero, ska, reggae, rock
Years active1999–present
MembersAldo Asenjo
Victor Vargas
Juan Gronemeyer
Sebastián Cabezas
Rodolfo Fuica
Luis Tabilo
Michael Magliochetti
Joselo Osses
Leo Ruiz
Past membersCamilo Salinas
Ricardo Alvarez
Jose "Pepe Maikel" Barria
Websitechicotrujillo.com
Chico Trujillo at Rudolstadt-Festival 2018

The band formed in 1999 in Villa Alemana, Zona Central, Chile, following a tour that lead singer Aldo Asenjo [es] – known as "Macha" – undertook with his then band La Floripondio [es] through the cities of Germany, the Netherlands and Austria.[1] Chico Trujillo's first songs were born of jamming sessions with Asenjo and his friend Antonio Orellana, and their sound gradually attracted new members to the band. This lineup led to their first album, Chico Trujillo y la Señora Imaginación, in 2001.[2]

Chico Trujillo has performed concerts at universities, musical venues, festivals and various events, including the Cumbre Guachaca Chilena at Estación Mapocho and concerts campaigning for the rights of the indigenous Mapuche.[3] They have also featured on the Lollapalooza music festival lineup in both Santiago and Chicago.[4]

Chico Trujillo has also gained a considerable following in Europe, in particular Germany.[5][6]

Musical style and influences

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Chico Trujillo mixes original songs with traditional cumbia, exploring styles as diverse as boleros and ska, Andean folk and hip hop, reggae and rock, in a popular live act.[7] A post on The New York Times Artsbeat blog described Chico Trujillo's signature sound:

“Every party band needs a rhythm, and Aldo Asenjo, the band’s leader and singer, relies on cumbia, the beat heard in countless variations across Latin America. Cumbia often trots calmly, but Chico Trujillo’s version gallops, bounding along; now and then, the music switches into rumba, equally upbeat. Mr. Asenjo sings lyrics as chattery and percussive as some hip-hop, taking on the ups and downs of love and life, with his voice answered by chortling horns — did he borrow the arranging idea from ska bands? — and a tootling, circusy organ. Syncopation, momentum and a way of romping through pain — a party band needs them all, and Chico Trujillo has them.”[8]

As they themselves explain, Chico Trujillo has "been able to mix pieces of the past with the global influence of alternative culture, bringing it all together under the Pan-American flag of the cumbia."[9]

Members

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  • Aldo Asenjo- Vocals
  • Michael "Bendito" Magliocchetti – Vocals, Guitar
  • Victor "Tuto" Vargas – Bass guitar
  • Juanito Gronemeyer – Percussion, Drums
  • Sebastián Cabezas "Zorrita" – Trumpet
  • Rodolfo Fuica "Tio Rodi" – Percussion, Drums
  • Luis Tabilo – Trombone
  • Joselo Osses – Keyboard
  • Leo Ruiz – Saxophone
  • Felita – Saxophone
  • Macha Asenjo – Guitar, Vocals

Discography

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Albums

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  • 2001: Chico Trujillo y la Señora Imaginación (released in Germany as Up the Ass!)
  • 2003: Fiesta de reyes (live)
  • 2007: Cumbia chilombiana
  • 2008: Plato único bailable
  • 2009: Chico de oro
  • 2010: Vivito y coleando (live)
  • 2012: El gran pecador
  • 2015: Reina de todas las fiestas
  • 2019: Mambo mundial

Singles

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  • Maria ria (2001)
  • Y si no fuera (2001)
  • El conductor (2006)
  • Medallita (2006)
  • La escoba (2006)
  • Lanzaplatos! (2008)
  • Loca (2008)
  • Sin Excusas (2009)
  • Gran Pecador (2009)

References

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  1. ^ Chico Trujillo de las calles de Berlin a conquistar Europa. Musica.terra.cl. Retrieved 31 January 2013
  2. ^ Chico Trujillo: Bringing Chilean cumbia to the masses. Soundsandcolours.com. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  3. ^ Latin Beats: Chico Trujillo. BBC Mundo. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  4. ^ Three Chilean acts perform at Lollapalooza music festival Archived 21 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. This is Chile. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. ^ Latin Beats: Chico Trujillo. BBC Mundo. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. ^ Chico Trujillo de las calles de Berlin a conquistar Europa. Musica.terra.cl. Retrieved 31 January 2013
  7. ^ Legendary Chilean cumbia band Chico Trujillo launches new album Archived 27 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine. This is Chile. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  8. ^ Lollapalooza Chile: A world-class party band. NY Times Artsbeat blog. 4 April 2011. Retrieved January, 2013.
  9. ^ Latin Beats: Chico Trujillo. BBC Mundo. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
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