SINGERS  /  MUSICIANS


Marcelo
Rojas

 
contact:
marcelorojas-harp@hotmail.com
 
 

Latin American Harp Festival 2010


Marcelo Rojas is one of the new interpreters of the Paraguayan harp. Born in Yuty, in the state of Caazapá in 1976, he began studying the harp at age 10 under the tutelage of his father, Don Aquiles Rojas. He regularly peformed at the Festival del Ita Karu (magnetized stone) in Yuty, earning recognition at a young age for the quality of his interpretations. At 16, he moved to Encarnación, where he continued his studies with maestro Alfonso Garay, joining the permanent cast of the Encarnación Cultural Center, taking part in performances in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

At 18, Rojas went to Asunción, where he joined the music group Los Mensajeros del Paraguay. Within a short time, he was traveling to Switzerland, Italy and Spain, performing in theaters and clubs. Upon his return, he joined Los 6 Paraguayos, recording a CD and performing throughout Paraguay. He later formed part of the group Los Ojeda, which gained fame both inside and outside of Paraguay, setting ticket sales records. In 1998, he launched his career as a harp soloist, with successful concerts in the Caribbean and Central America. Subsequently, he resumed his music studies at Paraguay’s National Conservatory of Music.

In 2001, he made his first Paraguayan harp recording. And most recently, he toured in Japan. He was selected as the Paraguayan harp performer on a recording by Smithsonian Folkways, the music label of the Smithsonian Institution.

Rojas is president of the recently created Paraguayan Harpists Association.

Marcelo Rojas’s performances are known for the dexterity with which he plays and his ability to embrace a style within the pulsation of the harp, as well as for his interpretion of Paraguayan music. Behind a fine and precise touch, he has recorded several CDs marked by a melodious selection of songs. He has been described as one of the finest interpreters in this difficult musical field.