Jorge Reyes (musician)

Jorge Reyes (1952 – February 7, 2009) was a Mexican ambient electronic musician who incorporated elements of his native Mexican culture into his music. He performed as the member of several groups and collaborations (most notably with Steve Roach) and as a solo artist

The Mexican Reyes should not be confused with the Cuban bassist Jorge Reyes, the Cuban author Jorge Ivan Reyes, the Brooklyn television writer Jorge A. Reyes, or the Oregon baseball player Jorge Reyes.

History

Reyes was born on September 24, 1952, in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico. He attended the National School of Music, Mexico (Escuela Nacional de Musica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, or UNAM) 1970–1975, studying the flute. During this time, he formed two seminal Mexican rock bands, Al Universo and Nuevo México, influenced by Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd but incorporating native musical instruments. In 1976, his growing interest in jazz led to spending a year in Hamburg, Germany, where he studied improvisation with Herb Geller. As part of this training, he traveled through Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. In 1978, he attended a Hindu music course in the Himalayas, in which he studied traditional Indian flute and percussion techniques. On these overseas trips, he began collecting many native instruments.

After returning to Mexico, Reyes founded the band Chac Mool with drummer Armando Suárez and keyboardist Carlos Alvarado, which was one of the first Mexican progressive rock bands. The band recorded four well-received albums, on which Reyes played flute and guitar, before disbanding.

In 1985, Reyes began a prolific solo career. He collaborated with several other new-age and electronic musicians, including American synthesist Steve Roach, Mexican singer and multi-instrumentalist Arturo Meza (of the band Decibel), Spanish guitarist Suso Saiz, Mexican percussionist Juan Carlos López, German synthesist Elmar Schulte (of the band Solitaire), Deep Forest, and others.

Reyes's music was used frequently in Mexican radio and television programs. He performed many concerts at famous Mexican archeological sites such as Malinalco, Teotihuacan, Templo Mayor, Chichen Itza, and Tenango del Valle. His annual Día de Muertos concerts at UNAM were popular events. He also gave many concerts at the Espacio Escultórico de Ciudad Universitaria, where he collaborated with dancer and choreographer Regina Quintero.

Reyes died Saturday, February 7, 2009, of a heart attack at his recording studio in Mexico City. He was 57 years old. He had three children—Citlalli, Ridwan (with Ursula Kipp), and Erendira (with Ariane Pellicer).

Discography

Solo

• Ek-Tunkúl (1983)
• A La Izquierda Del Colibri (1985)
• Comala (with Arturo Meza & La Tribu) (1986)
• Viento De Navajas (1987)
• Crónica De Castas (with Suso Saiz) (1990)
• Mexican Music: Prehispanico (1990)
• Niérika (1990)
• UAISCM4: Tlaloc (with Francisco López) (1991)
• Bajo El Sol Jaguar (with Suso Saiz) (1992)
• El Costumbre (1993)
• Mexican Music: Prehispanic Music for the Forgotten Spirits (1994)
• Mexican Music: Prehispanic Mystic Rites (1994)
• The Flayed God (1994)
• Tonami (1995)
• Mort Aux Vaches (1996)
• Mexican Music: Prehispanic Rituals (1996)
• La Otra Conquista (soundtrack) (2000)
• Pluma De Piedra (2002)
• El Dios Desollado (2003?)

with Suspended Memories (Steve Roach & Suso Saiz)

• Forgotten Gods (1993, Hearts of Space Records)
• Earth Island (1994, Fathom/Hearts of Space Records)
• Twilight Earth: Second International Soirée (various artists) (1995)
• Vine ~ Bark & Spore (2000)

with Chac Mool

• Nadie en Especial (1980)
• Sueños de Metal (1981)
• Cintas en Directo (1982)
• Caricia Digital (1983)
• 25 Aniversario Box Set (compilation) (2005)

Film Appearance

• La Otra Conquista (1998 Film)

See also

• New Age Music
• Ambient music
• Electronic music

External links

• Reyes performing "Sacrificio" on You Tube
• Reyes performing "La Culebra" on You Tube
• Reyes discography