Alejandro Ataucusi is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, composer, and band leader of Afro-Peruvian Jazz band Forbidden Tropics. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Alejandro was exposed to ethnic music from an early age. His first instrument was the charango, and it has taken him to many stages from Peru to the US, and Europe. In addition to playing the charango, Alejandro has also discovered the hatun charango in recent years, and it has given him more ideas for composing and arranging. In 2022, Alejandro Ataucusi was considered one of the “finest interpreters of the hatun charango” by El Peruano Newspaper. 

 

As a guitarist with Forbidden Tropics, Alejandro has released an EP in 2019 and an album in 2022 titled “Peruvian Rhapsody”. Forbidden Tropics is getting ready to record a new album this year!

 

Alejandro’s interest for cultivating and disseminating Peru’s rich musical history and culture all over the world has given him the opportunity to perform at William Paterson University, the University of California – Riverside, New York University, Rutgers University and upcoming performances at the National Music Museum in South Dakota; The Charango Festival in Austria, Vienna; and the Museum of Musical Instruments in Leipzig, Germany. 

 

Since 2013, Alejandro has been the guitarist for the William Paterson University Latin Jazz ensemble directed by Chico Mendoza. With the ensemble, he has played with many well-known Latin Jazz artists such as Jimmy Bosch, Claudio Roditi, Pete Nater, and members of the Tito Puente Orchestra such as Mitch Frohman, Ray Vega, and Jose Madera.

 

Alejandro is endorsed by Godin guitars, Hanika Guitars, Udo Roesner amps, and Aquila strings