The international recognition of the cajon drum as a Peruvian instrument spread over the Americas will become official on November 1 at the Organization of American States headquarters, located in Washington, D.C., United States.
Peru's Culture Minister Diana Alvarez-Calderon, and the Permanent Representative of Peru to the OAS Juan Jiménez, were responsible for introducing such a distinction.
The Afro-Peruvian cajon is a percussion instrument that was created by slave musicians in the Spanish colonial Americas -more precisely in Peru- which sound is requisite not only in Peruvian creole music, but also in international music genres such as gypsy flamenco.
Alvarez-Calderon and Jimenez went on to add that this new honor is a chance to pay posthumous tribute to the musician, actor and culture promoter, Rafael Santa Cruz (1960-2014), for his contribution to the Afro-Peruvian music.
On the other hand, Peruvian singer Jose Escajadillo, who has composed over 600 waltzes, will be honored as songwriter of the Americas.
(END) DOP/RMB
Published: 10/17/2014