Discover the career of Eva Ayllón, awarded the Latin Grammy for Musical Excellence

One of the most well-known voices of Creole music; a woman who has shared the stage with great musicians such as Pedro Aznar, Mercedes Sosa, Armando Manzanero, Diego 'El Cigala', Marc Anthony, Los Kjarkas, and Raphael, to name a few. We are talking about Eva Ayllón, the Peruvian singer who is to be awarded the Latin Grammy for Musical Excellence in recognition of her career and contribution to music.

"I am very excited to receive this unexpected news, it’s such an important recognition, just when I’m about to celebrate the 50th year of my artistic career, to be considered one of the most respected voices in the Afro-Peruvian tradition," wrote the singer of "Ritmo, color y sabor" on her official Facebook account.

It should be noted that the award for Musical Excellence is given by the Board of Directors of the Latin Recording Academy and is presented to performers who have made outstanding artistic contributions to Latin music throughout their careers.

Discovering Eva

María Angélica Ayllón Urbina was born in Lima on February 7, 1956. Her grandmother, Eva, raised her and nurtured her love for Afro-Peruvian and Creole rhythms. "She taught me to sing 'Cada domingo a las 12', 'Cuando llora mi guitarra' and 'Muñeca rota'."

In honor of her grandmother, the singer adopted the name Eva at the beginning of her artistic career. In the 70's she began to sing in Creole groups before becoming the lead singer of the Peruvian group Los Kipus, with whom she would travel all over Peru.

While working at the Manos Morenas restaurant in Barranco, Eva met Chabuca Granda, with whom she had the opportunity to work and build a close friendship. "I was very lucky to start working with Chabuca Granda. Her manager brought her because she wanted to meet me. From there a great friendship was formed. I've been to her house several times," says Ayllón, whose musical influences are Chabuca Granda – the composer of the song "José Antonio" – and Mercedes Sosa.

Success abroad

Eva launched her first solo album, Esta noche… Eva Ayllón, in 1979. A year later, she made the leap abroad, visiting various cities in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Chile and Ecuador. In 1997, she went on her first 45-day tour of several European cities.

In 2009, she was able to fulfill one of her greatest dreams by releasing the CD and DVD Eva Ayllón Canta a Chabuca Granda ("Eva Ayllón Sings Chabuca Granda"), recorded live at the Teatro Ateneo in Buenos Aires. This work was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Folk Album category.

In total, the "Mal paso" singer has released more than 30 record productions, winning gold and platinum records and five nominations at the Latin Grammy awards. Her most recent productions include Como la primera vez and Un Bolero, Un Vals. In the latter, she pays tribute to her parents and her grandmother Eva.

Details

• The award for Musical Excellence will be presented to Eva Ayllón at a ceremony to be held on November 13 at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas.
• Omara Portuondo and José Luis 'El Puma' Rodríguez, Pimpinela, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D'Alessio, and Hugo Fattoruso are some of the other artists who will receive the award for Musical Excellence.

Sources: Andina/ RPP/ Eva Ayllón/ La República/ last.fm