Paraguay Purahei was the inaugural album of the Purahei Trio.
When all the members were still living in Buenos Aires, they came together to carry out the development of a musical project based on research previously conducted by Romy Martínez on Paraguayan popular songs.
Later on, departing from the diverse influences of their musical experiences — jazz, classical music, folklore, Brazilian music — but with a very solid foundation in musical genres, rhythms, and forms, the creative work of the trio resulted in a contemporary sound of traditional Paraguayan music themes.
In collaboration with Romy, the arrangements were all made by Agustín Roy and reveal his maturity as an arranger and expert Latin American pianist. This is reflected in the fresh sonorities added to these traditional songs, as well as in the expertise with which traditional musical genres are played on the piano, demonstrating rhythmic and interpretive finesse. Romy Martínez, the founder and author of the project, is proficient in Spanish, Guarani, Portuguese, and English. She translated the lyrics in Guarani to lead the listener towards the wide cultural and sonic universe that represents this land.
The repertoire, which became the trio's first album, includes songs written by some of the most relevant Paraguayan composers. These songs and inspirations describe the country, its myths and realities, and evoke scenes from childhood, nostalgia, comforting sadness, and the awakening of genuine joys.
Paraguay Purahei Project
Paraguay Purahéi offers a musical journey that spans rhythms and genres from polka to guarania, deeply immersing audiences in Paraguayan culture. This immersion is not only through the music but also through the lyrics, which recount the country’s history and the experiences of its people. The use of Guarani, an indigenous language, instantly connects listeners to the cultural roots of Paraguay. Meanwhile, the presence of Spanish highlights the rich diversity of Creole traditions. The repertoire also includes bilingual songs and those in yopara, a blend of both languages in the verses, which beautifully exemplifies how these cultural influences merged into the unique Paraguayan identity.
From the very beginning, the group felt a strong desire to cross cultural boundaries. This sense of connection was natural, given that the trio consists of members from Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. As a result, the repertoire not only features Paraguayan polkas and guaranias but also includes chamamês and gualambaos, rhythms that emerged from the shared region where Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil meet. Ultimately, this musical exploration brings us closer to the cultural richness and artistic uniqueness of Paraguay, which is an integral part of a vibrant, diverse, and powerful Latin American continent.
