KARUMANTA

The music that KARUMANTA has produced started with the preservation of the sacred music of the Incas, the traditional indigenous music that echoed high in the Andes Mountains in ancient times. Today, the music has evolved into a fusion of Andean instrument sounds with dynamic rhythms from Bolivia, Brazil, Spain, and South America, composed and arranged by Oscar Reynolds. This instrumental music boasts a combination of Andean wind instruments with the Spanish guitar as well as indigenous charango strings and a dynamic variety of percussion. While still holding on to traditional roots and preserving the same spirit of the Andes, the music at the same time reflects the growth and change that come with time and experiencing life. Oscar explains, "This new music retains the culture and the influence from my Inca ancestors, but it also has a part of me. I am playing this music in a new context -- with my own style -- inspired by my heart, life, and experience in music."

Mr. Reynolds hopes that through his music, people will have a better understanding of Andean music, and more importantly, of Bolivian music and Bolivian heritage. "Although Bolivia is one of the countries that form part of the Andes, Bolivia has a unique culture and music that is different from its surrounding countries. And although the Andean countries share a common ancestry, Bolivia does have a distinct heritage. My music comes from my heart, my ancestors, and my country."

Through his music, Mr. Reynolds also hopes to inspire people to live and love because his music comes from deep in his heart and soul. But most of all, through his music, Mr. Reynolds wishes to share the music and culture that he loves to the world.

Bolivian-native Oscar Reynolds is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and recording artist who has been touching audiences with his unique and flavorful music for over 15 years. Mr. Reynolds’ magical bamboo flutes from the Andes combined with passionate South American guitar and delightful percussion make up his distinctive music that prides itself of its Bolivian, South American, and Spanish flair. Mr. Reynolds’ music takes its roots in the ancient musical tradition of his Inca ancestors that thrived long before the Spanish invasion. Recording under the independent label Karumanta, he has played his own music as well as traditional Andean music in Brazil, Bolivia, parts of South America, and now the United States.

Mr. Reynolds currently plays as a soloist simultaneously playing the guitar, antara (panpipes arranged in a semi-circle), synthesizer, and percussion. He is also the lead flutist and guitarist of his musical group Karumanta, which he formed in 1991. Listeners unanimously agree that the wonderful variety of his music, which ranges from passionate to tranquil, is both inspiring and calming.

Mr. Reynolds has performed at concert halls, festivals, malls, galleries, five-star hotels, and special events throughout the Bay Area, as well as in Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Some of the prominent places where he has performed include The Palace of Fine Arts, El Encuentro del Canto Popular, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and the prestigious Institute of American Indian Arts Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has also taught classes at San Francisco's Mission Cultural Center.

Mr. Reynolds has been a guest recording artist for several Native American, New Age, and children’s music recordings, and his music was featured in the movie Follow Me Home at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 1996. He has recorded with guitar master Enrique Coria and flamenco guitarist Chuscales, and has shared the stage with celebrated Peruvian singer Cecilia Barraza, among others. Aside from playing the guitar, antara, synthesizer, and percussion, Mr. Reynolds is also a master of the quena (single-reed Andean flute) as well as other Andean wind instruments, charango (Andean version of the guitar with five double strings), and keyboard. In addition, Mr. Reynolds makes zamponas and antaras that he uses when playing live. He is also a sound engineer, producer, and a lawyer in Bolivia.