Zenén Abdón Vega Martel, the Quivillano: life, work and musical legacy in the context of the Huanuco huayno

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the life, work and musical legacy of Zenén Abdón Vega Martel (1951-2021), known artistically as “El Quivillano”, a representative figure of the huayno of the Huanuco region, Peru. Through a contextualized biographical-musical essay approach, it explores the artist’s trajectory from his origins in Quivilla and Tantamayo, through his self-taught training influenced by his father’s figure, to his professional consolidation in Cerro de Pasco and Lima. It addresses the main aspects of his career such as: the creation of the group “Los Huayruros de Llata”, the emergence of the artistic name by which he was known and, the prolific record production started in 1974 under the label “El Virrey”; it also examines his particular interpretative and compositional style, highlighting the use of the guitar with the temper known as ‘Ocros’ and the analysis of emblematic themes such as “Ocho libras mal gastadas”, which reached remarkable national diffusion and generated milestones within the singer-songwriter’s career, including disputes for authorship rights. In addition, he discusses the impact achieved in the Andean music scene, his collaborations with other artists and the particularities of the reception of his music. The essay concludes by reaffirming the relevance of Zenén Vega Martel “El Quivillano” as a “singer of the people”, whose legacy endures as a fundamental part of the sound heritage and cultural identity of the Huanuco huayno, specifically of the province of Huamalíes.