LIMA – THE FINAL CURTAIN FALLS! Perujazz is calling it a day! After more than 40 years, the iconic Peruvian band is saying goodbye on October 15, 2026, with one last joint concert at the Gran Teatro Nacional in Lima. Afterward, the musicians will pursue their own artistic paths.
FIVE MUSICIANS – ONE LAST GREAT PERFORMANCE!
Manongo Mujica, Jean Pierre Magnet, Andrés Prado, César “Pudy” Ballumbrosio, and Julio Zavala will be back on stage together one more time. Under the title “Perujazz – 40 años de fusión viva,” they will present music spanning four decades. The band recently returned from a European tour. Now, the farewell follows on home soil.
IT ALL BEGAN IN 1984 – WITH A CRAZY MUSICAL IDEA!
Jazz, Afro-Peruvian drum rhythms, and sounds from the Andes: this unusual mix gave rise in 1984 to a band that would shape Peru's music scene for decades. Manongo Mujica, Jean Pierre Magnet, Enrique Luna, and Julio “Chocolate” Algendones founded Perujazz in Lima. Algendones, who had previously worked with Perú Negro and Chabuca Granda, brought Afro-Peruvian music into the group. The cajón became a central instrument of their unmistakable sound.
Their international career began as early as 1986. A year later, Perujazz recorded their debut album, “Verde Machu Picchu,” in Italy. Performances in America and Europe followed. You can find more stories about Peruvian music and culture at Flor Pucarina: Documentary on the Voice of the Andes Premieres in Peru.
MADRID, BUDAPEST, STOCKHOLM – AND NOW THE GRAND FINALE!
Even before their farewell, Perujazz headed to Europe once more. The musicians performed in Madrid, Budapest, Stockholm, and Barcelona, among other cities. They were accompanied by the album “Perujazz en vivo – Gira Europea 2023,” which was created with the support of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. The release is available digitally and as a double vinyl. The album will also be available at the farewell concert.
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! HERE IS WHERE THE FAREWELL CONCERT WILL TAKE PLACE
Perujazz – 40 años de fusión viva
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Start: 8:00 PM
Location: Gran Teatro Nacional, Av. Javier Prado Este 2225, San Borja, Lima
Tickets: from 25.50 Soles, depending on seating.
IS THIS REALLY THE END?
For Perujazz as a collective band, yes. For the individual musicians, it goes on. They intend to pursue their own artistic projects in the future. What remains are four decades of musical history, international performances, and an unmistakable sound that blended jazz with the traditions of Peru. On October 15, the stage in Lima belongs to Perujazz one last time. Then the final curtain falls on the group’s shared history.
More cultural news from Peru can be found in the PeruMagazin informs section.
Sources and image credits
Caretas, September 24, 2026: “Perujazz se despide tras 40 años de fusión”.
Perú21, September 26, 2026: “Con 40 años de historia, Perujazz se despide en el Gran Teatro Nacional”.
Gran Teatro Nacional: “PerúJazz”, event on October 15, 2026, 8:00 PM; official ticket prices.
Hero photo: “Perujazz.jpg”, Wikimedia Commons, archival recording of the band; not from the farewell concert. Author and exact license conditions must be checked on the original file page before any further use.
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