Music, that art form that can reflect the soul and connect people beyond words, accompanies us wherever we go. Like a whisper on the breeze, embrace our dreams and fears. In the bustle of the city or in the stillness of nature, its notes surround us and caress our emotions. Their melodies also do the same and more, since they invite us to relive hugs, smiles and tears, as if time had never passed.
Regardless of where you are, countless songs They find a way to infiltrate our lives, becoming a backdrop that beautifies our daily lives. However, this is not always the case; Sometimes, in certain places, songs are played that fail to awaken emotions in the listener, leaving a void where normally there would be magic.
To check it, just visit the establishments in different areas. For example, in restaurants, cafes and hotels, the choice of music often does not correspond with the brand identity or the experience the company wants to offer. Instead of creating a pleasant atmosphere, songs are played that may displease customers. He realized this Maribel Tafurwho created a musical experience for Central, the best restaurant in the world.
Our compatriot, who has been awarded the prestigious ‘The Golden A’ Design Award‘ Through his work creating a music experience for Central, he realized that inappropriate music was being played in the venues he visited. Despite this, she continued to visit them, since it was part of his job.
This experience, with an unpleasant aspect, was the trigger for him to embark on a project that, over time, came to fruition and brought him a lot of satisfaction. One of his achievements is the award he obtained thanks to the music created for Central, the restaurant of Peruvian chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León.
Infobae Peru spoke with Maribel Tafurcomposer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and audio branding specialist, about the genesis of her idea, her vast artistic career, the contribution of music to the consumer experience and other topics of general interest.
“I studied Communication Sciences at the University of Lima, I finished it, I started doing internships, I started working in companies, but at the same time music was there, and I really missed making music or at least doing something related to this art . Then I worked in a market research company, which allowed me to get to know places and realize that the music in these establishments was not appropriate,” said the artist.
While visiting the venues in the early years of the new millennium, Tafur entertained the idea of creating a musical experience for brands and even discussed this topic with his parents, who gave him their support. At that time, he had solid knowledge in music, thanks to the influence of his parents in this art. Furthermore, he mastered more than one musical instrument.
“Since I was a child, I sang the choruses of the jingles that my father produced for advertising. I had classical piano and singing training thanks to my parents who introduced me to music. As time went by, I became interested in other instruments,” she noted.
That girl who, from a very young age, played a variety of instruments, never thought that music would become the axis of her life and bring her so much joy. With her tiny hands, she caressed keys and strings, filling every corner of her home with melodies full of innocence and passion. Without imagining it, every chord and every note of hers traced the path to a bright future.
When she spoke with this media, perhaps the artist felt a genuine emotion when remembering those days of musical games and discovering that, in each of those notes, the secret of a life full of satisfaction was hidden. The truth is that in 2024, the Peruvian multi-instrumentalist and producer was awarded an important award in Europe, after benefiting the Central restaurant. However, the biggest beneficiary will be the diner, who will live an experience that will involve all of his senses in a cozy place.
The common denominator of Peruvians knows that Central is more than a restaurant. The experience offered is a gastronomic immersion that celebrates the biodiversity and cultural richness of Peru. Each dish is a work of art that reflects the geography of the country, from the depths of the ocean to the Andean heights. Local and seasonal ingredients are meticulously selected to deliver an explosion of authentic flavors, while the visual presentation of each dish tells a unique story.
To this paraphernalia designed by Virgilio Martínez and Pía León The music of Maribel Tafur was added, an artist who in 2022 was included in the list of ‘The 50 most creative in Peru‘, which was carried out by Forbes Peru. The artist obtained this recognition thanks to her album ‘Mater Soundscapes of Peru’, which highlights the biodiversity and ecosystems of Peru. The project was carried out in collaboration with chef Virgilio Martínez and the Mater Initiative research center. The work includes ten compositions that propose a musical journey using as raw material the sounds of natural landscapes and inputs from different Peruvian ecosystems.
“We had built a sound universe through all the experiences that I have put to music for them. This project sought to bring to the public a musical sound universe that we had built together. They (Central) are innovating and carrying out multidisciplinary projects,” said the music producer.
This was not the last time he worked for the founder of the Barranquilla restaurant. In recent years she materialized a project, with which she obtained ‘The Golden A’ Design Award’, in the Music, Audio and Sound Design category for 2023-2024. For Central, he created 30 compositions that accompany the gastronomic journey through the ecosystems and biodiversity of Perufrom the depths of the sea to the Andes.
It should be noted that the project included sounds of native ingredients, electronic instrumentation, experimentation with traditional instruments and field recordings of the diverse ecosystems and biodiversity of Peru.
At another point in the interview, the artist Tafur highlighted the importance of this award in her career. “It is a super important award and recognition for all this work we have done (…) My client, which in this case was Central, trusted my work. This project was one of those in which you have to break with everything established,” she expressed.
Since 2011, Maribel Tafur has led her company Intune, specialized in creating and curating music for various spaces and experiences. This company has developed projects for more than 80 brands in America, Asia and Europe. The artist has 20 years of experience in the music industry, working in areas such as composition, music production, artistic direction and music licensing.
In addition to her work at Intune, our compatriot has produced background music for renowned gastronomic establishments such as Central, Mil Centro, Kjolle, Mayo, Olluco, Maz, Estero and Mauka. He has also worked on musical productions for film, videomapping shows and other audiovisual projects. His music is part of the documentary “Virgilio” available on Netflix.
The Peruvian composer, who won ‘The Golden A’ Design Award’, works as a performer and music producer in her band Budapest (Unka). It should be noted that with this group she has played at festivals and venues in different parts of the world.
Centralwith its restaurant experience proposal, offers a sensory journey that celebrates the diversity and richness of the Peru on each dish served. This gastronomic journey is enriched by Tafur’s music, which adds an auditory dimension to the culinary delight. Carefully composed melodies accompany each bite, creating an atmosphere that envelops the diner in a symphony of flavors and sounds.
