This year, fandango jarocho music has not flown under The Recording Academy’s radar and is being recognized due to the work of Quetzal, Los Cojolites, and Sistema Bomb.
Quetzal’s “Imaginaries” and Sistema Bomb’s “Electro-Jarocho” albums are nominated for Best Latin Rock, Urban, or Alternative Album in this year’s GRAMMY Awards. Los Cojolites’ nomination is under the Best Regional Mexican Music Album category for their “Sembrando Flores” release. All bands are part of the growing movement of musicians that fuse traditional jarocho music with contemporary influences.
To celebrate the recognitions, a free concert will be held at Breed Street Schul, located at 247 Breed Street in East Los Angeles. Performances are scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. and include Quetzal, Los Cojolites, and special appearances from members of Ozomatli and La Santa Cecilia.
Quetzal’s “Imaginaries” highlights the East L.A. band’s fusion of son jarocho, salsa and R&B, and carries its theme of social, cultural and political activism. Produced by Quetzal Flores and Daniel E. Sheehy, the album is part of the revival of traditional music from Veracruz. “This influence can be traced all the way back to Ritchie Valens recording the son jarocho piece ‘La Bamba’,” said Martha Gonzalez, lead singer of Quetzal. Los Lobos, Ozomatli, and La Santa Cecilia are also influenced by this music.
Sistema Bomb’s “Electro-Jarocho” album features several guest artists including Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli, Los Cojolites’ and Roco Pachukote of Maldita Vecindad. Los Cojolites “Sembrando Flores” is the first son jarocho album nominated in the Best Regional Mexican Music Album category featuring the style of music from the Veracruz region of Mexico.
