Los Cenzontles
Mexican-American band blends culture with traditional, modern music
Kevin Gisi
Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: Currents
The performers displayed much musical prowess as they seamlessly tackled each genre: their traditional Mexican music was robust and boisterous, their blues melodies were soft and sweet and their folk music was worthy of a quintessential coffee shop's open mic night.
Even with so many different genres, each song was sung in traditional Spanish and told a story. Many selections were original pieces written and composed by the band themselves. Although the songs differed from tranquil vocal ballads to upbeat, instrumental pieces, the anticipated liveliness and energy native to Mexican music remained constant and apparent throughout the show. Though the group experiments and plays with many diverse styles of music, it remains true to its Mexican roots.
"It's vital to have a culture that we all share and can talk to each other through," Rodriguez said during the performance.
This cultural connection is fundamentally important to the band and is the foundation for all of its work.
"Music is … a way to connect with people, and through music I have been able to connect with family members, other generations [and] people from other cultures that I would not have been able to connect with in any other way," Rodriguez said.
This culturally-centered message was not lost on the rapt audience. Throughout the performance, many attendees could be seen tapping their feet or swaying their shoulders to the rhythm, immersed in the laid-back, yet energizing feel of Mexican music. The audience consisted of an even ratio of students and community patrons, and all of the attendees seemed to enjoy the show.
"Their original music was really good," freshman Peter Henckel said "And their traditional music was also full of talent."
Most students shared Henckel's sentiment.
Freshman Michael Richards said he enjoyed the variety.
"The fact that their music was influenced by so many cultures made them very interesting to listen to."
Because of the audience's appreciation of the varying influences used in Los Cenzontles' music, the band's message was effectively delivered. The players strive to include diverse cultures in all of their work, including their future projects.
"We have a new CD coming out next month that mixes Mexican (music) with African-American music," Rodriguez said. "(It) is a collaboration with blues legend Taj Mahal and the great David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. We also will be appearing on an Irish-Mexican CD with the legendary Chieftains."
With such a richly diverse background, an impressive artillery of musical genres and the uncanny ability to combine it all into one successful group, Los Cenzontles are sure to impress future audiences as effortlessly as they did here in Eau Claire.
Even with so many different genres, each song was sung in traditional Spanish and told a story. Many selections were original pieces written and composed by the band themselves. Although the songs differed from tranquil vocal ballads to upbeat, instrumental pieces, the anticipated liveliness and energy native to Mexican music remained constant and apparent throughout the show. Though the group experiments and plays with many diverse styles of music, it remains true to its Mexican roots.
"It's vital to have a culture that we all share and can talk to each other through," Rodriguez said during the performance.
This cultural connection is fundamentally important to the band and is the foundation for all of its work.
"Music is … a way to connect with people, and through music I have been able to connect with family members, other generations [and] people from other cultures that I would not have been able to connect with in any other way," Rodriguez said.
This culturally-centered message was not lost on the rapt audience. Throughout the performance, many attendees could be seen tapping their feet or swaying their shoulders to the rhythm, immersed in the laid-back, yet energizing feel of Mexican music. The audience consisted of an even ratio of students and community patrons, and all of the attendees seemed to enjoy the show.
"Their original music was really good," freshman Peter Henckel said "And their traditional music was also full of talent."
Most students shared Henckel's sentiment.
Freshman Michael Richards said he enjoyed the variety.
"The fact that their music was influenced by so many cultures made them very interesting to listen to."
Because of the audience's appreciation of the varying influences used in Los Cenzontles' music, the band's message was effectively delivered. The players strive to include diverse cultures in all of their work, including their future projects.
"We have a new CD coming out next month that mixes Mexican (music) with African-American music," Rodriguez said. "(It) is a collaboration with blues legend Taj Mahal and the great David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. We also will be appearing on an Irish-Mexican CD with the legendary Chieftains."
With such a richly diverse background, an impressive artillery of musical genres and the uncanny ability to combine it all into one successful group, Los Cenzontles are sure to impress future audiences as effortlessly as they did here in Eau Claire.
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