MERIDIANO 75

Rafael "Fusa" Miranda - alto and soprano sax
Yuri Juárez - guitar
Juan Medrano Cotito - cajón and voice
Marco Oliveros - percusion
Edward Pérez - accoustic bass

In the sound of Meridiano 75, two distinct American musical styles with African and European heritage are reunited. The band´s blend of jazz and afroperuvian music brings to light the similarities inherent in the two styles.

Meridiano 75 brings together musicians who specialize in each of the two style, allowing all members to contribute their own musical experience while exploring the new possibilities that the other style offers. In their sets, Coltrane tunes can feature cajón solos, while festejo songs of Cotito feature the explosive modern jazz alto solos.

Always looking toward the future of music, the group honors the afroperuvian musical tradition, the spontaneity of modern jazz, and african roots common to both styles.

About the members of the band:

Juan Medrano Cotito, though known throughout the world as the cajonero of grammy award winning singer Susana Baca. Nothwithstanding, he is known to the Limeñan public as a song-writer and the rhythmic driving force behind modern afroperuvian muisic itself. He has developed a unique style and a fresh approach to the cajón without relying upon foreign musical influences, and he is widely recognized as one of the founders of the modern school of afroperuvian rhythm.

Yuri Juárez , a talented improviser, arranger, and guitarist, appears in Lima as an indispensable member of groups playing virtualy every style of south american folk music. He is the musical director of the band Sin Lineas en el Mapa, and has toured in Europe with the afroperuvian group Milenio.

Rafael "Fusa" Miranda holds the torch as the foremost horn player in his generation in Lima, and his saxophone is almost solely responsible for bringing the sounds of modern jazz to Perú. He has held steady gigs for long stretches at clubs such as the Jazz Zone and Cocodrilo Verde, and he is currently the director of AIJP´s youth jazz orchestra.