Vibrant Fusion: Music of Vera Cruz with Cesar Castro and Cambalache

Come and take part in Son Jarocho music, a blend of indigenous Mexican, African and Arabic sounds! Cambalache is a Chicano-Jarocho group based in East Los Angeles, and led by César Castro. Cambalache plays and promotes traditional Son Jarocho through participatory performances, so be prepared to catch that Cuban beat!

Cambalache was founded in 2009 by Cesar Castro (Master Luthier Sonero and Jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico). Castro began studying Son Jarocho at the age of 11 with renowned harpist, Andres Alfonso Vergara. He continued his studies with Gilberto Gutierrez of El Grupo Mono Blanco, and at age, 16, he joined the group formally. With Mono Blanco, Cesar not only traveled through Mexico, the United Status and Europe, he began teaching this cultural tradition in community centers, schools and universities in Mexico City and Veracruz. From Gilberto Gutierrez he also learned laudería, how to make instruments used in the son jarocho tradition. In 2001, Cesar began working with Chicanos in Los Angeles through a binational Exchange, Fandango Sin Fronteras that forged relationships cultivated through music, focused on building community and awareness through social gatherings, el fandango and participatory performance. In 2003 he moved to LA to teach Son Jarocho and during this time he  joined Quetzal, one of LA’s cornerstone, Chicano bands.

Contact: events@esperanzaunityhousing.org