Mayte Montero · The Queen of the Gaita

Mayte, Mayté… I am Mayte Montero.

Born in Cartagena, with the Caribbean in my heart and cumbia in my veins.

My given name is Mayte del Rosario Montero Laguna. Over the years music also gave my name a new sound, especially through Pa’ Mayté, by Carlos Vives and La Provincia.

The Queen of the Gaita

A life made of cumbia and gaita

My given name is Mayte del Rosario Montero Laguna. Mayte, before Carlos Vives; Mayté, after Pa’ Mayté, that song by Carlos, my older musical brother, which gave my name a new sound that so many people have made their own with such affection.

I am a Colombian singer, gaitera, composer, producer and inventor. Music has given me more than three decades of lessons, encounters and wonderful stages.

And here I am, with the same joy as in my beginnings, enjoying making music and all that is still left to share.

‘I dedicated myself to being happy, and happiness led me here.’ From the jam sessions of Cartagena she reached the biggest stages in the world without ever letting go of the reed, the cardón cactus, the beeswax and the charcoal of her land.

years of career alongside great masters: +30
recording of “La Candelilla”, a gaita classic: 1991
Tuplum invention patent from the SIC: 2020
Latin Grammy for “Ancestras”: 2021

Portrait of Mayte Montero — Mayte Montero — The Queen of the Gaita

My musical family

My Roots

It all began in Cartagena

My first steps in music were with percussion. Time later the gaita arrived and, with it, a new way to express the love for my roots.

I was lucky to learn from masters like Diógenes San Juan and Luchito González. Among those first encounters “La Candelilla” was born, a composition I share with Pedro Pablo Peña and recorded with Caoba, which over the years became a classic of our music.

Cartagena is present in every stage of my musical path.

Talking about Carlos Vives and La Provincia is talking about my musical family, about friendship, songs and so many moments we have shared for more than three decades.

We have travelled stages, known cultures and carried the sounds of our land to different corners of the world. A story built between music, lessons, joys and the affection of those who have accompanied us.

More than 30 years sharing music and friendship… and we keep writing this story together!

Musical Encounters

Music is also built in company

I have been fortunate to share the path with artists and masters who have left their mark on my musical life.

Among them, Totó la Momposina, Joe Arroyo, Diomedes Díaz, Checo Acosta, Carlos Vives, Thalía, Sergio George, Petrona Martínez, Maite Hontelé, Monsieur Periné, Gusí, Jerau, Lessing Kérguelen, La Rola Band and Flor de Lava, among many other encounters I keep with affection and gratitude.

Carlos Vives & La Provincia

More than 30 years

Her musical family: more than three decades together, contributing to the internationalization of vallenato since the nineties.

Totó la Momposina

International tours

She toured the world with her and recorded “La Candela Viva” (1993) at Peter Gabriel's Real World studios.

Joe Arroyo

Homenaje a Estefanía Caicedo

She lent her gaita to maestro Joe Arroyo: it was the first time the instrument sounded in his music.

Shakira

Massive stages

Sharing the stage with the Barranquilla superstar took the gaita to audiences across the whole planet.

Recognition

Moments I keep with gratitude

Every recognition celebrates the music, the roots and the path shared with so many people who have been part of my story.

≈1990s
First prize – Festival de Gaitas de Turbaco
Festival de Gaitas de Turbaco
Her gaita performance. Mayte remembers it as one of her first important prizes.
2010
Recognition by the Latin Recording Academy
Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
Her work as executive producer and co-music producer on Petrona Martínez's “Las Penas Alegres”, a Latin Grammy-nominated production.
2010
Las Penas Alegres
Latin Grammy nomination
Album by Petrona Martínez produced together with Manuel “Chaco” García Orozco.
2010
Premios Shock / RadioCan Peru – “Las Penas Alegres”
Premios Shock / RadioCan
The album, produced by Mayte Montero and Manuel García-Orozco, received these recognitions.
2015–2016
Mujer Bolívar
Fundación Mujer Bolívar
Recognition received for my contribution to music and culture.
2016
Golondrina de Plata Festival – 4th edition
Montería City Hall
Recognition of her career and musical contribution.
2017
Gran Mujer Caribe
Día de la Costeñidad Caribe
Recognition delivered in Barranquilla on October 11, 2017.
2017
Premio Altruístico Artístico
V AZ Libris Show / XXVII National Encuentro del Torbellino
Award given to Mayte Montero Laguna on September 30, 2017 in Cartagena.
2017
Recognition – XXIV National Encuentro de Intérpretes
Instituto Municipal de Cultura de Yumbo
Recognition of Mayte during the gathering held in Yumbo on November 12, 2017.
≈2017
Tribute Casa de la Cultura de Cartagena / Festifolclor
Casa de la Cultura de Cartagena + Corporación Festifolclor
Tribute for her 25 years of dedication as composer, manager, producer, artistic representative and gaita performer.
2020
Tribute “Leyendas de la Música Colombiana”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Colombian Consulate in Berlin
Institutional tribute held in Berlin on September 30, 2020.
2020
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
Institutional recognition
For the contribution of my musical project to the culture of the nation.
2020
Tuplum®
Invention patent · SIC
The Superintendency of Industry and Commerce granted a patent for my Colombian gaita mouthpiece design.
2021
Ancestras
Latin Grammy
Role as executive producer and co-music producer on Petrona Martínez's award-winning album.
2025
Tambó Dorado
Fundación Tambó / Noche de Tambó
Tribute to Mayte for her musical career and contribution to folklore.
2025
Hija de Barranquilla
Barranquilla District Mayor's Office
Declared by decree for her contribution to the music and sound of the Carnival and to the musical identity of the Colombian Caribbean.
2026
Afro-Colombianity Day
Office of the Inspector General of Colombia
Special recognition for my contribution to the traditional music of the Colombian Caribbean and to the preservation of our roots.