Los Ardiles, the brothers of criollismo: “Before it was very stately and the youth liked our spontaneity”

They love music in all its forms. From the Yaravíes and Huaynos who, as children, listened to their father play – a member of the emblematic group Lira Huaylina – to the rock and roll of the Beatles, of those who consider themselves fans. So much so that last year they dared to cover, with the freshness and joy that characterizes them, ten songs by the Liverpool quartet in Creole rhythms. The unusual proposal has become one of the great landmarks of the squirrelswho this March 21 will review their 40-year career with the show “Our story.”

Those who have heard them can attest to the versatility of Manuel and Jaime, current members of the family group that in the beginning was part of the student body of the Hipólito Unanue school. After that first musical foray, Eddie, the eldest of the brothers, became the main promoter of the genre that would lead them to fame. “At that time, we sang Spanish music and memories, but Eddie began to bring home Creole music records, especially by maestro Óscar Avilés, who was our great reference. A short time later we formed the group Armonía Criolla”, remember Manuel, or Kiko for friends. The quintet, made up of the Ardiles brothers, Gino Gamboa and renowned percussionist Leonardo ‘Gigio’ Parodi, did very well between the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“Before [la música criolla] He was very stately and the youth liked our spontaneity. We present ourselves on stage as we are, in a light-hearted way.”

Manuel Ardiles / musician about the secret of the success and validity of the group.

A new stage would arrive with the name change and the rediscovery of its essence on stage. “When the two people who were not from our family left and with the incorporation of Carlos –says Manuel– we were left with four members. It was the same audience that asked us why we called ourselves Armonía Criolla if we were the Ardiles brothers”.

When Eddie retired in 2008 to dedicate himself entirely to his profession as a psychologist, the trio began to be called simply Los Ardiles. “With the arrival of Carlos we found our characteristic seal”says Jamie. “Kiko had a restaurant that became very popular in the early years of the 21st century. There we took the responsibility of singing any genre and song that came to mind. Our audience liked that a lot.”, continues the also guitarist. The following years were of artistic heyday for the trio, until in 2020 Carlos decided to start his journey as a soloist.

memories scenario

With eight record productions in four decades, Los Ardiles feel that their greatest contribution has been to refresh Creole music. “Before it was very stately and the youth liked our spontaneity. We present ourselves on stage as we are. I believe that the constant work and discipline that our parents taught us has allowed us to stay current. That is why we dedicate this show to them”James underlines. In this regard, Manuel adds that “This event is the beginning of the end of our career. You have to know when to withdraw. I think that the public should take with them the best memories of an artist who has given everything on stage”.

Before the final farewell, which will still take a few years, the now duo already has their next albums planned. The good reception of “Arditles”, the tribute to The Beatles, will have a second part. “The most arduous part of that job was fitting the rhythm, changing the songs from four quarters to three quarters, as is the case with the waltz. But we are 100% beatlemaniacos and it was a pleasure to do it. For me this record has been my greatest achievement.”, confesses Manuel about the reversals that took five years to see the light. A compilation of great Creole hits has also been cooking.

For the moment, the brothers are concentrating on their concert at the Gran Teatro Nacional, a setting to remember and meet again with the friends who forged their career in music. One of them will be Lucy Avilés, representing Don Óscar, the first guitarist in Peru. The endless Jimmy Santi and his “Chin, chin” nuevaolero will also be present at the show. 22 songs impregnated with the enthusiasm and professionalism of Los Ardiles are programmed.