Juan Cumbal

Juan was born in Otavalo, Ecuador. Otavalo is the “Nashville” of Andean folk music in Ecuador. Hundreds of Andean folk bands that have began their trajectory in communities around the Otavalo area have managed to resonate the sounds of Andean music worldwide, giving international exposure to Andean music like no other community in the world. Juan himself performed with “Otavalo Manta” in several countries throughout the European Continent. In 1987, playing the zampoña, he recorded a CD with “Otavalo Manta” in Amsterdam that included a chart topping single called “Por vos longuita” (for you indian lady) which was played for weeks in radio stations around the Netherlands. Juan also promoted Andean music in his own country through television and radio shows with “Amazonas”. He later traveled to Europe again to tour with “Nuestra America”. He moved to the United States over 3 years ago and has resided in the Seattle since then. He is one of the founders of Grupo Samay. In the band he plays primarily the Zampona and the rondador, but on occasions boasts his versatility by playing the Guitar and the Charango.