Tutuma Social Club · Afro-Peruvian Jazz in NYC

According to theperuguide.com “Peñas are music clubs that offer folkloric music shows, in particular Afro Peruvian and Criollo gigs. In these upbeat venues you usually eat criollo fare, listen to the music, and have lots of fun -everything seasoned with generous quantities of beer and pisco sour. Eventually, inspired by the friendly atmosphere and the cheerful rhythm of Afro Peruvian music, you will probably end up dancing all night long.”

Modeled after the popular Peruvian “peñas” Tutuma Social Club is the first Afro-Peruvian jazz venue in New York City. New York restaurateur and owner of Tutuma, Santina Matwey, got inspired after a trip -tour peru- organized by Gabriel Alegria, who -as Artistic Director of Tutuma- is in charge of the musical programming. The Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet performs regularly, as well as many great artists who are presently taking the Afro-Peruvian tradition to new heights.

I was at Tutuma during the opening week in mid-june, and I caught Gabriel Alegria performing in this hip new venue, which offers not to charge its patrons ever for live music. One way Tutuma intends to achieve this goal is by inviting their customers to become VIP members for a very low fee. So, get ready to taste the exciting flavors of Peruvian cuisine, while experiencing first-class talent. Head up to Tutuma Social Club and fall under the Afro-Peruvian spell.

Danilo Navas