Meet Enrique Infante

Today we’d like to introduce you to Enrique Infante.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in Lima, Perú. I write songs, poems, and short stories. Oh! I also teach Taekwondo.

In 1995, I co-wrote the music for a children’s play, “El Árbol de la Huerta Perdida” (‘The Tree of the Lost Orchard’), and a year later I was touring Europe with Los Mojarras a famous Peruvian fusion band that recorded the soundtrack for the movie, “Anda Corre y Vuela” (‘Go, Run, Fly’ -also known as “Gregorio & Juliana”). First prize winner for a developing countries film festival in 1996 in Germany. I was also part of a folk-Andean-fusion band named “Pukakuntur” (‘Red Condor’ in the native Inca language, Quechua). It was a wonderful experience.

In 1998 I moved to Columbus, Ohio and in 2004 I founded a new project; “Dejavu Latin Fusion Rhythms.” With them, I recorded my first album with original songs: “Abriendo Caminos” (‘Opening Paths’) in 2006 in Lima. The record was released at the Columbus Music Hall on November of the same year.
Within the next few years, I was dedicated to promoting my music with several concerts in the United States, México and Perú, and paying tribute to many Latin-American artists.

In 2010 I started “Escritores En Español de Columbus,”- now “Sociedad De Escritores de Columbus,” with whom I recently (2018) published some of my poems.

By 2010 I was honored to receive the “Premio Orgullo Peruano” (‘Peruvian Pride Award’) as a successful artist living outside of Perú. In 2012 my song “Colors of Columbus” was selected as one of the winners for the ‘200Columbus In Song Contest,’ in celebration of Columbus Bicentennial. That same year I released my second album, “Canciones Ajenas” (‘Other People’s Songs’).

After moving to Houston by the end of 2013, I focused my energy on performing and writing as much as I could. A couple of short stories finally saw the light (2013) and later (2014) a new single along with a music video, titled ‘El Detalle Que Faltaba’ was also released.

In June of 2015, my third child was born in Texas. Yes! He, as my other two children; is the reason of many blessings and happiness.

A new single: ‘El Viaje’ (‘The Journey’) was released in 2016, and finally my full-length third studio album “El Detalle Que Faltaba” (‘The Missing Detail’) was out in 2017.

In January of 2019 the song Kallpa Perú was released by the Emmy Award winner, Víctor Arturo Barrientos. Prominent Peruvian artists of international renown participated in it. It is a tremendous honor for me to have been invited to sing along with so many stars.

During my music career I have had the immense privilege and fortune of sharing the stage with artists like Ruben Blades, Totó La Momposina, Thalía, Tiempo Libre, Karlos Rosé, Toby Love, Miriam Cruz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Obie Bermúdez, Rosana, La Santa Cecilia, Grupo Niche, Oscar D’León, Willie Colón, and Celso Piña; among many others.

I travel to perform at any town in the country. I also travel as a referee or as a coach to Martial Arts Tournaments.

Gotta live, right?

Please tell us about your art.
I feel the need to communicate through art. Martial arts, as well as performing arts and writing are complex and very aesthetic when you try to do it in a very disciplined, passionate and in an orderly manner.

A while ago I read a book called “I Imagine” -How Creativity Works-, written by Jonah Lehrer. The book helped me drastically in my work and ratified me in other areas like never before.
Inspiration is everywhere, and even inside. Our past, which includes traumas, achievements, and experiences, can be the source of many stories and doors to other paths and forms.

If a person or a craftsman wants to create or reveal something, all they need is to take the first step. You have to understand the hard work behind them.

As a message for future artists, I always suggest studying as much as they can and try to be surrounded by people they admire.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success is a path, not a goal. If you are doing what you love, everything else is hard work with overtime hours. No frustrations allowed. Perseverance and Patience are the virtues of the Gods.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The best and most difficult way to get support is on social media. Why? Because of the huge amount of possibilities for everyone and of course, our competitors. One new like one new follower, a new subscriber or a buyer can do tons for us, the artists, and even better if they leave a nice review.

Considering all that above, I am at most social media sites including music platforms like Spotify, Pandora, YouTube and at Apple Music among others. As far as my written stuff, my work could be easily found on Amazon.
And if you want to take martial arts lessons, you may also find me on Facebook.

How to search?

Music: Enrique Infante – Dejavu Latin Fusion Rhythms
Books: Enrique Infante
Martial Arts: Infante Taekwondo School

Contact Info:

• Website: http://enriqueinfante.com
• Phone: 614-273-9029
• Email: dejavulatinmusicproductions@gmail.com – enriqueinfantemusic@gmail.com
• Instagram: @kiqueinfante
• Facebook: @enriqueinfantemusic
• Twitter: @enriqueinfante
• Other: http://youtube.com/user/kiqueinfante

Image Credit:
Abrahanny Rodriguez, Josue Sanchez, Julio Granados, Domingo Banda & Michael Villegas

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.