Gypsy Jan - 7-13-2012 at 06:56 PM
KPBS Midday Edition speaks with four local Son Jarocho musicians (including Florido) about this folk music's history and why it has become popular
among young Mexican-Americans living in our border region.
A recent fandango in San Diego.
Guests: Roxana Bernal, musician, Jorge Castillo, musician, Cynthia Cox, musician, Adrian Florido, musician and KPBS reporter.
"Digital music produced with the most sophisticated sound imaginable is as close as your smart phone these days. So then why would anyone want to
spend time learning to play an old Mexican-folk instrument and get together for little music parties?
Well, when the music is Son Jarocho-a traditional music style of Veracruz, Mexico-it's about more than playing a tune. It's about tradition and
identity-and bonding across a cultural campfire.
This old music style is gaining new attention in San Diego and Tijuana. (Last May, KPBS reporter Adrian Florido had this story about the music's local
resurgence.)
This Saturday, musicians on both sides of the border will hold a bi-national fandango, or live jam session. All are welcome to join in the fun at the
fifth annual Border Fandango/Fandango Fronterizo, held in Friendship Park at the U.S.-Mexico border and in Playas Tijuana from 11 am to 3 pm."
ecomujeres - 7-13-2012 at 11:27 PM
Gracias Jan! Too bad it's in SoCal.
Up here in the SF Bay Area, we have a local group that has done wonderful work in preserving and spreading the traditional sounds of Mexico, including
el Son Jarocho.
Los Cenzontles (The Mockingbirds) have made three documentaries, available on DVD about their trips to Mexico with kids from their music school to
meet with local artists and to jam with them en los fandangos. If I recall correctly, the videos are in Eng-Span with subtitles accordingly.
Here's the link to these DVD's.
http://themockingbirds.info/store/merch_dvds.php
And check out their music CDs as well.
http://www.loscenzontles.com/
¡Viva la música!
tripledigitken - 7-14-2012 at 04:36 AM
GJ,
Thanks for the heads up. Will try and get down to Friendship Park today to check out. Was introduced to Son Jarocho back in the 80's through Los
Lobos's music. They will play a couple of SJ songs in every concert with the traditional guitars from Vera Cruz.
Another group from LA playing SJ is Quetzal, they are excellent.
Ken
DianaT - 7-14-2012 at 04:04 PM
We missed this thread this morning, but we had heard about this event on the news, so off we went today.
On our way there, I turned to John and said, I just bet we will run into Ken there---we laughed because we know that Ken has a way of finding all the
neat events and places around here. And sure enough, we were there and suddenly, there he was. :-)
Not a lot of people there, but it was a lot of fun and the music and dancing were great. It is such a shame they have put up the thick mesh wire on
the fence, but while it meant one could not see the other side hardly at all, the singing back and forth and emotion was there.
It did appear that there were more people on the other side and they said there is a fandango this evening at a nearby restaurant --- of course on the
US side, it is about a 30 minute walk to get to "friendship" park.
It was enjoyable and educational and we always enjoy seeing Ken.
[Edited on 7-14-2012 by DianaT]