Peru’s Master Percussionist: Alex Acuña

The World

Some fifteen hundred people got together recently to set a new Guinness Record for largest cajon ensemble. The cajon is a wooden box you sit on to play. It started out as a substitute for African-style drums forbidden to slaves in Peru, but has gone global, adopted by flamenco, Latin jazz, and rumba.

This year at Peru’s annual cajon festival, Peru paid homage to Peruvian master percussionist Alex Acuña. He’s been drumming for more than 50 years, with musicians from Elvis Presley to Weather Report. Mitra Taj sent us this audio snapshot.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!