The musicians of ANDES MANTA believe that through their music they bring a rare opportunity for cultural understanding between the peoples of the homeland and the people of modern North America. Although we know that Andean music has been played in South America for thousands of years, its beginnings have been lost in the mists of time. Just as the true origins of the native poples of the Americas continue to elude us, the first players of this wonderful musical tradition remain an enigma.
Despite the mystery, this vibrant and powerful music continues to be played from Colombia to Tierre del Fuego, and none play it better than the four Lopez brothers who make up ANDES MANTA: Fernando, Luis, Bolivar and Jorge, bringing this unique art form to North America in its purest and most authentic form. Natives of the Ecuadorian Andes, the brothers learned their traditional folk music as it has been learned for thousands of years - passed from father to son and brother to brother.
ANDES MANTA is well known to presenters all over America for their virtuosity and extraordinary performances -- from Carnegie Hall to the Discovery Channel, from the National Cathedral to Lincoln Center and hundreds of schools and universities.
ANDES MANTA performs the vibrant music of the Andes on more than 35 traditional instruments. From the lyrical sound of the quena (Andean Flute) to the haunting tones of the six-foot long pan-pipes, the music of Andes Manta is an experience that never fails to bring audiences to their feet.
