Julio Benavente Diaz was born on the 18th November 1913 in the Cuzco region of Peru. As a child he learned to play several instruments including harmonica, Andean flute (quena) and guitar. He was chiefly known as a performer on the charango, a small stringed instrument similar to the mandolin. He worked as a teacher and for various social and cultural organisations across Peru, learning many songs as he travelled. Most of these songs were in the Quechua language. Read more on Last.fm