Denisse Shashiki is a Peruvian Nikkei who began in the artistic environment as a singer. She had a break for a few years but she returned with great force, she surprised us by singing in Japanese the very Lima-based La Flor de la Canela , for this she had the help of maestro Yochan Azama. She recorded two songs in Miami, a very important place for Latin music, where she has contact with people who encourage her and offer their help to continue her artistic career in that place. That is why she held a concert in gratitude with all the people who supported her, not as a farewell, as she says, because it surely sounds very sad to her. It's just a see you later. This is an article that I published on my blog De Todo Un Poco :
A few days ago we were at the presentation of Denisse Shashiki, at the Teatro Peruano Japonés de Jesús María. It was Friday, April 6, the date chosen for this farewell concert: “I'll be back.” Actually, not a farewell but a thank you, as she said. Despite the intense traffic in Lima, people came from all over, it was the beginning of the weekend and we entered a familiar atmosphere, with many acquaintances and friends; You felt that warmth so that Denisse feels among friends, in contrast to the cold of the air conditioning, with that slight smoke that seemed like a mist, but that she was in charge of clearing and raising the temperature and making us vibrate from the beginning to the end.
Since three years ago, when she decided to restart her artistic career, we have followed her, like many of those who attended, when she timidly gave a presentation at the Cocodrilo Verde in Miraflores; Relatively very little time has passed, but it has been intense, from less to more, starting from scratch again. Denisse was far from artistic, but any pretext was good to sing and every time she felt that something was missing, she had left her dreams aside, perhaps family life, I don't know what happened, but it was good to resume her career. artistic.
After a short wait, she came out to dazzle us with a long black dress, as always beautiful, with her lanky figure, her long, straight hair, the lights followed her as she entered the stage. He took us on a musical tour with the song Hoy , by Gianmarco Zignago, who wrote it when he was outside his country, remembering and longing for his homeland. This is how Denisse feels, she hasn't left yet, but she is already missing her Peru and its people.
From one moment to the next it surprised us, the notes of the song Acompáñame began to play, announcing a special guest for a duet, it was none other than the teacher Yochan Azama, a friend to everyone, especially to everyone who wants to learn with him. It was the turn of The Day You Love Me , with a guest who accompanied her on the violin, Laszlo Benedict, a teacher who with his interpretation took us to the clouds, complemented Denisse's voice very well, transmitting in his strings that feeling, that sadness that the lyrics of the song told us. With the song Color Esperanza , which describes his feeling, for which he decides to make his way out of the country, and “(…) remove his fears, take them outside, paint his face the color of hope, tempt the future with love (…)”.
The time has come for the new wave, with a change of pace, with a medley of songs, to remember: Love me always —Estela Raval, That summer —Marisol, Boy from my neighborhood —Storm, Happy heart —Marisol; More than one yearned for those years because it moved the public, proving that “to remember is to live again.” She told us an anecdote that convinced her mother to let her sing, who didn't see it well, but when she said New Wave, she quickly agreed, always joking.
From Miami, the duo Periko and Jessi León, a Peruvian living in the United States, producer and composer in the Latin Pop genre; and an Argentinean, with her song Me Vuelvo loco , nominated at the time for a Latin Grammy award. Pedro Periko Almeida and Adrián Morales from the HEIGA studio were with whom Denisse recorded her songs in Miami: Un amor a la Distancia and Estés donde estars , the latter she sang at the concert.
She was accompanied by her great friend, who is her musical brother, so to speak, Ronald Arteta. They shared many things together, presentations, they even remembered that they were singles partners. They remembered with humor that they made one a long time ago that until now they continue to use it on Radio La Inolvidable . They made another duet, a very significant song that talks about being friends, very heartfelt and accompanied by Mariachi Reyes de Guadalupe.
As a good Nikkei, songs in Japanese could not be missing, so we saw her dressed in her kimono , like a real “Japanese”, to show us that she can do anything she sets her mind to, followed by Matsuri Daiko, who performed with Kuni Terukina, its director, at the helm, showing us something of Okinawan culture.
Denisse appeared on stage again, wearing a long red dress, to sing Como todo mujer , with a lot of feeling, just like Nino Bravo's song Porque te soy quequer . With the participation of the Pacora, dad Luis, with his talented children, a great family of musicians, to perform the accompaniment with Lágrimas negra , by Miguel Matamoros, a very old Cuban bolero.
There was no lack of Andean music with a huayno, the valicha. But the ending that made people vibrate was My way , actually in its own way, as always. How can we not feel with her her lyrics, reaching the end of this presentation, “(…) maybe I cried, or maybe I laughed, maybe I won, or maybe I lost, now I know that I was happy, that if I cried, I also loved, I can continue until the end in my way (…)".
A concert with very well chosen, varied songs, something from each genre, each song represents something for Denisse, as if she wanted to tell us something with them. That's why I tried to name each topic, but I couldn't do it with all of them. Mixed feelings in Denisse, thanks to all those who supported her during these times: her director, Pedro Luis Pacora, unconditional support for his faith in her; his musicians, one by one; the girls in his choir. Sad because he is leaving Lima, but happy because he is going in search of his dreams.
I am very reluctant to attend places with many people, shows, concerts, large groups inhibit me, intimidate me. As I always make that excuse not to go, especially if there are many acquaintances, I don't know whether to say hello or pass by as quickly as possible. This time my wife and I were invited. Thank you very much to this person, that's why we had a preferential place, she will surely think that I am very inexpressive, I was at her side, although she must know what I am, I am not one to clap or sing, although inside I do, but it really moved us a lot, to feel a lot of joy, plus she has a very good humor, Denisse, as she is on and off the stage.
Sadness is also felt in her, moving away from family, friends, in search of a dream, I can only express what I feel by writing. I always say that happiness is not a permanent state, they are small moments of joy that, added together, can make your life reach that desire, but for those of us who attended this was a great moment of joy that has contributed to my happiness.
Denisse, we wish you much success in this very difficult career, so that you continue with your dreams and make them come true, you have many qualities, a very beautiful voice, talent, a lot of charisma, simplicity; You have everything to succeed, you just need to go after your dreams. Go ahead, Denise.
© 2018 Roberto Oshiro Teruya
