Yma Sumac, whose real name was Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo, was born on September 13, 1922, in Ichocán, in the Cajamarca region of Peru. She is known as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, particularly famous for her exceptional voice and incredible vocal range that spanned more than four octaves. Her ability to move effortlessly between the lowest and highest notes earned her the nickname "The Diva of The Andes".
Yma Sumac grew up in a mountainous region of Peru where traditional Andean music was an integral part of local culture. From a young age, her unique voice stood out. According to some legends, she was a direct descendant of the Inca emperor Atahualpa, which inspired her stage name, "Yma Sumac", meaning "How Beautiful!" in Quechua.
In the 1940s, Yma Sumac left Peru for the United States, where she hoped to pursue an international career. In 1950, she signed a contract with Capitol Records, and her first album, Voice of the Xtabay, was an immediate success. Her extraordinary voice and exotic style captivated critics and audiences alike.
What particularly distinguished Yma Sumac was her incredible vocal range. She could sing deep contralto notes as well as high soprano ones. Some experts even claimed that her voice spanned more than four octaves, a rare achievement for any singer.
Yma Sumac became one of the iconic figures of the exotica genre, a musical style that sought to capture the essence of distant, exotic lands. She collaborated with great composers like Les Baxter, with whom she produced several successful albums.
In addition to her musical career, Yma Sumac made a few appearances in film and television. She acted in films like Secret of the Incas (1954), in which she performed several songs. These appearances further reinforced her public image as a mystical and exotic "Inca princess".
In the 1970s and 1980s, Yma Sumac’s career experienced a resurgence, largely due to the rediscovery of the exotica genre. Modern artists began sampling her recordings, and her works were re-released, helping to keep her influence alive.
Yma Sumac remains a musical legend, known for her exceptional vocal talent and her ability to fuse Andean and Western cultures. Her contribution to global music is undeniable, and she is celebrated as an iconic figure of Peruvian culture.