Yma Sumac

Peruvian-American singer (1922–2008)

Born: 13 September 1922
Callao
Died: 1 November 2008
Los Angeles
Country: Peru
Active: 1938–1997
Record labels: Capitol Records, Odeon, London Records, Electrecord, VEB Deutsche Schallplatten
Discography: 9 albums

Biography

Yma Sumac was a jazz musician who played voice. Yma Sumac was born on 13 September 1922 in Callao and died on 1 November 2008 in Los Angeles. The music is usually filed under jazz, pop music and rock music. Record labels: Capitol Records, Odeon, London Records and Electrecord. The discography here lists 9 albums, from “Voice of the Xtabay” (1950) to “La voz misteriosa de los Andes” (2021). Honours include star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960) and Order of the Sun of Peru (2006).

Zoila Emperatriz Chávarri Castillo (September 13, 1922 – November 1, 2008), known as Yma Sumac (from Quechua "Ima sumaq", meaning "how beautiful"), was a Peruvian-born vocalist, actress, model, musical composer and producer. She won a Guinness World Record for the Greatest Range of Musical Value in 1956. She has also been called "Queen of Exotica" and is considered a pioneer of world music. Her debut album, Voice of the Xtabay (1950), peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, selling a million copies in the United States, and its single, "Virgin of the Sun God (Taita Inty)", was a big seller in the United Kingdom, becoming an international success in the 1950s. Subsequent albums including Legend of the Sun Virgin (1952), Fuego del Ande (1959) and Mambo! (1955), were also successful. In 1951, Sumac became the first Latin American and Peruvian female singer to debut on Broadway.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Voice of the Xtabay 1950

Legend of the Sun Virgin 1952

Inca Taqui 1953

Mambo! 1955

Legend of the Jivaro 1957

Fuego del Ande 1959

Miracles 1971

Recital 1990 · Live

La voz misteriosa de los Andes 2021

Awards

1960 star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
2006 Order of the Sun of Peru

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Yma Sumac play?

Yma Sumac is known for playing voice.

When and where was Yma Sumac born?

Yma Sumac was born 13 September 1922 in Callao.

What are Yma Sumac's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Voice of the Xtabay (1950), Legend of the Sun Virgin (1952), Inca Taqui (1953), Mambo! (1955) and Legend of the Jivaro (1957).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.