BEST BASS CLARINET

Photo by Chuck Rogers

"Los Cenzontles (Nahuatl for "The Mockingbirds") dig deep into Latino traditions to promote dignity, pride and cultural understanding. The group has pioneered revivals of Mexican roots music in California bringing traditions to new generations. The Mockingbirds now create a powerful new hybrid sound – creating a fresh Chicano voice for a new generation."

"Fronting the group is the dynamic vocal dueto of Fabiola Trujillo and Lucina Rodriguez and sonero Hugo Arroyo . The Mockingbirds effortlessly mix electric bass and drums with traditional Mexican instruments – jarana, vihuela, requinto, pandero and quijada (jawbone) – creating a powerful contemporary sound infused with the gutsy soul of Mexico’s rural roots music."

"The group's core members also operate Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center in San Pablo, California. The Center has been training area youth in traditional Mexican music, dance, and crafts since 1994."

a flavorful, festive blend of musical worlds.’ (Wild Applause) Joel Selvin, SF Chronicle

‘a wonderful new collaboration with … traditionally minded Mexican-American folk music spiked with Lobos' adventurous brand of modern rock.’ Mikael Wood, LA Weekly

‘…an album that seamlessly incorporates rock and blues elements into traditional Mexican forms, smacking of neither academia nor compromise. Beautiful stuff. Dan Forte, Vintage Guitar

‘… a rich blend of folk music and searing blues guitar. Occasional detours into imporvisational jam-band fare exhibit the group’s ability to deliver the expected and the unexpected with equal grace.’ Nate Seltenrich, East Bay Express

‘David Hidalgo has been finding the common thread between Buddy Holly and traditional Mexican music since the early days of Los Lobos, and he demonstrates that knack again on this new collaboration.’ Jim Abbott, Orlando Sentinel Pop Music Critic

‘One of the most interesting albums of the year… bringing the term ‘fusion’ to new heights.’ Jesus ‘El Pelos’ Olvera, Al Borde

‘Like East LA lions Los Lobos, Los Cenzontles, aka the Mockingbirds, is a community-supported (and supporting) band that remains deeply bonded to folk roots while incorporating other styles and genres - rock, blues, jazz, roadhouse boogie -into its music. The good news for Los Cenzontles is that they’re living up to the expectations created by Hidalgo’s and (Linda) Ronstadt’s involvement.’ Pasadena Weekly

• Correo Aereo: A Sultry Night in Latin America
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Friday, Sept. 24, 2010 • $15 • Bilingual
Correo Aereo (“air mail”) are Austin Music Award-winners now based in Seattle. The Latin American/world music trio performs traditional and original music from Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico and beyond, combining a stunning array of string and percussive instruments with silken vocal harmonies described as “locked in carnal embrace” by the Austin Chronicle. Hailed for exciting musical virtuosity and profoundly moving performances through unknown landscapes of Latin America, their sensual music is both viscerally ancient and vibrantly contemporary. Abel Rocha plays Venezuelan and Mexican harp, guitar, cuatro, quinta huapanguera and vocals. Madeleine Sosin offers violins, maracas, bombo, jarana, quijada and vocals. They are joined by Amy Denio, (Kulture Shock & The Tiptons), on accordion, clarinet and vocals. Their music is richly polyrhythmic and soulfully melodic – soaring, fiery, haunting and joyful … this is the universal language.