Eva Ayllón

The soulful rhythms and vocals of Mama Africa have penetrated many corners of the world's seven continents. One such pocket is the Pacific coast of Peru, where African slaves blended those beats and melodies with Spanish and indigenous influences to create genres such as lando, festejo, and vals. After 30 years touring the globe, Afro-Peruvian singer Eva Ayllón brings that mix to Miami on Saturday. Twice nominated for a Latin Grammy, the "Queen of Afro-Peruvian Soul" has recorded some 20 albums and even founded an Afro-Peruvian supergroup known as Los Hijos del Sol. Such an eclectic career has made for equally eclectic aesthetics. Ayllón's complete criolla repertoire, as she calls it, sounds a bit like either Afro-pop meets the Gypsy Kings or Buena Vista Social Club. Or maybe Gloria Estefan when she tries to recapture her roots. Sometimes funky, sometimes bordering on telenovelera, Ayllon's got a little something for every ear.