Tower Blog

Exotica Singer Yma Sumac, 1922-2008

November 8, 2008 by Bob

Yma Sumac, legendary lounge/exotica singer of the 1950s passed away on November 1st, 2008 from complications with colon cancer.  Perhaps best known for her 4 (and sometimes 5) vocal octave range, Yma Sumac was also known for her lending her voice in various Hollywood films.  In fact, she was the singing voice of Aurora for the song, “I Wonder” in Disney animation, Sleeping Beauty.

Born in 1922 in Peru as Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chavarri del Castillo, Sumac decided on her stage name Yma Sumac before she even left Peru for her career in the US.  Although false claims found in tabloid magazines during the 1950s believing her real name to be “Amy Camus” spelt backwards, would remain one of the most popular rumors about this incredible singer.

Perhaps most recently, Yma Sumac has made a return in the popular Ultra Lounge compilations such as Ultra-Lounge Vol. 1: Mondo Exotica, Ultra-Lounge Vol. 9: Cha-Cha De Amor and Ultra-Lounge Vol. 2: Mambo Fever.