This July 6, Armonía 10 will celebrate its 52 years of experience on the Plaza Norte esplanade. Those in charge of interpreting the group’s greatest hits will be the singers Carlos Carmona, Dino Sánchez, Irvin Saavedra, Percy Laban and Paul Florez. Precisely, the latter gives details of the show and remembers his beginnings in music.
Paul Florez, who was born in the neighborhood of the founders of Armonía 10, was proud to have shared the stage with the greatest legends of the group, such as Makuko Gallardo, Percy Chapoñay, César Saavedra, Tony Rosado, among others. Furthermore, he reveals that before being a singer he wanted to be a guitarist, but due to poverty, his family could not buy him an instrument.
Florez, also known as ‘Russian’, also says, in this interview for La República, that in addition to being a singer, he is also a composer. And that, even, Armonía 10 has already recorded some songs of his own.
—It’s been almost 52 years of Armonía 10, what does it feel like to be part of one of the most important groups in the country?
—Super nervous, but at the same time super happy. Just as it is a great joy, it is also a great responsibility to be present at this time, when Armonía 10 turns 52 (…) and contribute a little to my colleagues on stage and have a great time this July 6 in Plaza Norte . It is an immense joy to share our art with so many people who like our music.
—As a child, did you imagine devoting yourself to music?
—It was always a dream – as a child – to be able to sing or be in music. More than a singer, I would have liked to be a guitarist or bassist.
—Do you know how to play an instrument?
-More or less. When you are from a neighborhood or from a humble class, it is more difficult to get an instrument, or for your father or mother to buy one for you. I always dreamed of a guitar, I could buy it later, when I no longer had time to play. I had to work. Now I have a lot of guitars, but I don’t know any complete songs.I know how to play the chords (of the guitar), a little bit of the piano and the bass; That helps me compose some little songs.

—Would you like Armonía 10 to record your songs?
—They have already recorded three or four songs for me. Well, now I have left (composition) a little for work and travel. Since last year I have returned to the orchestra and time is not enough (…) I have had seasons in which many songs have come out like dry spells, in which nothing comes out.
Paul Florez and his time at Ammonia 10
—How was your entry into Armonía 10?
—I am from the Armonía 10 neighborhood. As a child I have seen how the great musicians of that time rehearsed, such as Makuko Gallardo, Percy Chapoñay, César Saavedra and Tony Rosado. Later I had the great blessing and great luck of being able to share the stage with them.
-With whom?
—I worked with Makuko Gallardo, with Percy Chapoñay, César Saavedra, Roberto Moreno, Martín Pérez, Carlos Soraluz. It was very nice to share with them because of all the stories they tell you. It was great to hear them. I have been lucky enough to work with almost all of them and it was very entertaining to listen to their experiences, their anecdotes. I was very lucky to share with those who practically made the history (of the group).
—Any anecdote with one of them?
—With Mr. Makuko. I called him ‘Don Alberto’. He traveled alone, in two seats, and I sat with Roberto Moreno. All the jokes of the trip were with Makuko and with the teacher Koky Álvarez, who was a very good friend of Makuko. He read a lot. In all his ‘palomillada’, he was very cultured. He knew how to speak, he knew how to express himself, he read four or five newspapers or a book.

—What is the song that identifies you the most?
—There are many beautiful songs from Armonía 10, the vast majority are beautiful. I like ranchero boleros, new wave, old music. Therefore, I love the classical music of Harmony 10, the second long play and the third long play. Of the songs that are still played, there is one that I like the most. It’s called ‘Lágrimas’, and now I’m lucky enough to sing it, it’s requested a lot.
Paul Florez and his great challenges in music
—Did you have to pay a fee for music?
—I entered very young, very inexperienced. I think it was a mistake – over the years I reconsider – to join an orchestra of that stature (Armonía), with so many monsters on stage. For me, at the beginning, it was like a game. I came from studying music because my dream was to be a musician and to sing rock with a group of friends, but cumbia is in our blood. When I woke up from the dream and the first emotions, it was very difficult to realize the weight and responsibility. I had a great time, but over the years I became very insecure about whether I really deserved to be there. Obviously, I didn’t deserve it because it was a stroke of luckbut over the years I learned to take in the importance of truly belonging (to the group).

Paul Florez reveals that ‘Lágrimas’ is his favorite song on Armonía 10. Photos: Facebook/Armonía 10
—Now do you feel that you deserve to be where you are?
—We all deserve opportunities. Apart from the luck that life gives you, work and self-effort should be encouraged. And I think I’ve tried a lot to make sense of that work. Bringing these important cumbia songs to our audience is a great responsibility, but also a great joy.
—What is the greatest sacrifice you have had to make for music?
—We are lucky to travel a lot, but it is very difficult to get away from our family, especially when we have small children or on Mother’s Day.
—And what is the greatest satisfaction you have achieved?
—Be popular or well-known, and be greeted on the street (…) we always try to be as friendly as possible with the people who show us their affection.