Jorge Cumbo (15 December 1942 – 28 October 2021)[1] was an Argentine musician who played the
Andeanquena flute, combining jazz and
Argentine folklore. After early encounters with
folklore under his mentor
Chango Farías Gomez, and three years at the conservatory, Cumbo discovered the quena flute. After learning the quena from Una Ramos, Cumbo joined Ramos and Jorge Milchberg in the group "
Urubamba" (also known as "
Los Incas") with whom he performed from 1970 to 1976. In 1973, "Urubamba" became famous through their cooperation with
Paul Simon ("
El Condor Pasa").
After 1976, Cumbo cooperated with various members of the "Nueva Canción" movement in Argentina, such as
Mercedes Sosa,
León Gieco, and others. In the mid 1980s, he formed a trio with
Lito Vitale (piano) and Lucho Gonzales and later recorded with Manolo Juarez. In 1995, Cumbo formed the "Trio Cumbo" with Gerardo DiGiusto and Ricardo Moyano.
Cumbo performed all over the world, mainly in Europe, South America, and Japan, and was nominated for a
Konex Award for the title of best instrumentalist in the decade from 1985 to 1995, along with
Jaime Torres and
Eduardo Lagos.[2]