Under the New York City lights, a movement of Mexican folk music from Veracruz (also called “ Son Jarocho ”) has begun to spread. One of its most important promoters is Radio Jarocho , a music group which brings together the traditional music style of Veracruz with sounds from the Great Apple’s urban lifestyle.
Son Jarocho
legend, Zenen Zeferino , has joined this Mexican group along with a few Colombians who share his passion for the music of Veracruz. Together, they have created the album “Ríos de Norte y Sur,” bringing together the traditional music style with the melancholy of those who have crossed to the other side of the river, of those who have left and are now roaming aimlessly.
This type of Mexican traditional song has been associated with folkloric ballet , according to Zenen Zeferino at an interview with EL UNIVERSAL . For over 30 years , a group of musicians has sought to reclaim this traditional music style from its roots.
“The Son Jarocho is making its way to several places in the world. Nowadays, you can listen to Son Jarocho in the USA, Canada, Germany, and France . What we play isn’t the same music that is played in folk dance, but one that is born from fandangos, and our homes’ traditional celebrations; through this music, we have been able to recover our identity. We are now the third generation to vindicate the traditional music style from Veracruz,” Zeferino commented.
Zenen was born in Jáltipan de Morelos, Veracruz , raised in a family of singers and lyricists that have cultivated this type of musical expression through the years. He has played as a guest musician with Tembembe Ensamble Continuo , and has performed in festivals around the world on numerous occasions.
This group of Latin-American musicians has come a long way, and they have been invited to participate in radio and TV shows in New York, including The Untitled Action Bronson show , Paste Magazine , and Democracy Now! Their album has received great reviews, including one from the National Public Radio in the USA . The album features songs like “El palomo,” “El misterio,” “La vieja,” “Conga de San Benito,” “Chile,” and “Cascabel,” which are available on iTunes and Spotify .
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