The Whole Music Experience

Radio Jarocho Cafe Cafe Chido Records When world music fans think of traditional Mexican music, they usually think of rancheras or mariachi, lesser known, son jarocho hails from Veracruz and weds the musical traditions of former African slaves, indigenous people, and European colonialists.   Distinct features of son jarocho include rapid call & response vocals sung slightly flat, equally rapid rhythms strummed on ukulele size lutes (requinto and jarana) or a Mexican harp and percussive rhythms created by dancing feet (zapateado).   The infamous La Bamba hails from Veracruz and this music tradition. I have mostly heard traditional versions of his music on Smithsonian Folkways recordings and on Conjunto Jardin’s Yerba Buena CD that featured both traditional and original son jarocho songs.   Hailing from the opposite coast in the US, Radio Jarocho has educated music fans in Washington, DC, New York, and Boston.   On the band’s recording Café Café , the musicians perfor