Meet the 8 Noche de Cumbia acts bringing the tropics to Hollywood

As a music enthusiast who has had the privilege to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of cumbia, I must say that Formero and Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto are two shining stars in this vibrant constellation. Their stories resonate deeply with me, as they share a common thread of preserving tradition while pushing boundaries.

The Hollywood hills are alive, once again, with the dance rhythms of cumbia.

The beloved Noche de Cumbia returns with even more excitement, taking over not only the Hollywood Bowl but also the Ford! This two-night concert extravaganza brings together the pioneers and trailblazers in the Latin music scene. As the rhythmic güiro, melodious gaitas, and energetic horns fill the air of Los Angeles, Noche de Cumbia aims to honor its origins, explore its evolutions, and inspire a night of uninhibited dancing.

This beloved genre was born along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where a basic rhythm captured the heart of its Afro-Indigenous communities. It grew in popularity during the 1930s and 40s, and soon spread to other Latin American countries. As each region and country embraced this energetic style, the rhythms remained consistent, but with unique twists. To the present day, various types of cumbias, such as those blended with rock and pop, continue to dominate Latin music.

On Saturday evening at the Ford, performers such as Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto, a pioneering group in the genre, and Reyna Tropical, whose music is centered around activism, will perform together, offering a broad perspective on the evolution of cumbia. This event is jointly organized by Cumbiaton, a collective of Latinas who promote music and parties, and it will also showcase the marimba-rock of Son Rompe Pera and the inspiring accordion melodies of Yeison Landero.

On a Sunday evening, the iconic Hollywood Bowl’s structure will resonate with the melodies of artists hailing from Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico. Among them are Grupo Cañaveral de Humberto Pabón, a duo comprising a father and son, as well as La Sonora Dinamita and Los Hermanos Flores who offer orchestral tunes. Additionally, Yeison Landero and Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto will take the stage to perform as well.

In addition to the programming at Hollywood’s amphitheaters, cumbia music resonates throughout the city during Cumbiaweek. From September 27th onwards, a diverse range of events will take place every day, including a marimba workshop led by band Son Rompe Pera and documentary screenings at the Mexican Consulate General.

Get to know the Noche de Cumbia acts at two of L.A.’s most celebrated venues

The Ford

Hailing from Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico City, Son Rompe Pera is a band that blends the raw energy of punk with the rhythmic beats of Afro-Indigenous cumbia, led by the Gama brothers: marimba player and guitarist Allan “Mongo”, marimbist Jesús “Kacho”, percussionist José Ángel “Kilos”, bassist Raúl Albarran, and drummer Ricardo López. This unique sound was accidentally crafted as they delved deeper into playing the marimba, an instrument their father had taught them before his passing.

Allan ‘Mongo’ Gama stated that the unique sound wasn’t something we intentionally sought out. Instead, it came about naturally while touring and performing with Chico Trujillo from Chile. Now, we are overjoyed by this discovery because it motivates us to continue creating music in this style with even more dedication.

Reflecting on my childhood experiences playing the marimba at weddings and quinceañeras, I’m taken back to the powerful emotions I felt when hearing Mexican cumbias. There’s just something electrifying about the sound, and I eagerly anticipate recapturing that energy again.

Occasionally, people might assume our concerts will be laid-back affairs, but they invariably turn into wild, unpredictable events wherever we perform. It’s true, the excitement is contagious and even we can’t help getting caught up in it. Moreover, he mentioned that during tough times, our performances often serve as a stress-reliever for the audience.

As a passionate admirer, let me say that Fabiola Reyna from Reyna Tropical doesn’t compose traditional cumbias. Instead, her music resonates with the spirit of freedom, highlighting the deep roots of cumbia as a reflection of African and Indigenous communities. This Mexican-American artist believes that it’s essential to shine light on its origins through her melodies, considering it a small yet significant act.

She stated, “My life experiences as a queer woman of color from the border have always been deeply political in nature.” She continued, “I’ve always viewed life through this lens. Therefore, when I encounter music like cumbia that’s designed for liberation, it feels incredibly supportive and sustaining.

Originally a two-member group consisting of Reyna and producer Nectali “Sumohair” Díaz (who passed away in 2022), the band embarked on their journey. Through their debut album “Malegria,” Reyna expresses tales of queer love while incorporating her personal grief. She seamlessly intertwines bird-like melodies with intricate rhythms from various percussion instruments. In every song she creates, the 32-year-old artist highlights the impact of the Latin diaspora, either through lyrics or drumbeats.

“The topic I find significant is the innovation within Afro-Mexico and Afro-Indigenous cultures, particularly the creation and dissemination of Latin music genres such as cumbia and reggaeton. As a Norteña and queer individual, I believe it’s crucial to acknowledge and address the injustices faced by the Afro-Latino community, even though I may not personally experience them.

The Hollywood Bowl

Known for their success with Corraleros del Majagual, Humberto Pabón Olivares and his son Emir Pabón carry on their musical legacy in Mexican cumbias through Grupo Cañaveral. Established in 1995, the group represents the artistic vision of Emir Pabón, who serves as the primary singer-songwriter and producer. He focuses on blending his own style with that of his father to create a unique sound for the band.

According to Pabón, he learned everything – from understanding music right through to recording it – from his father. He aims to form Grupo Cañaveral and create music that preserves the original sound but also includes the contemporary sounds being developed by today’s younger musicians.

Lately, they’ve been blending various Mexican music genres like corrido tumbado and mariachi, working with Sonoran rapper Lefty SM and Norteño singer Adriel Favela. When collaborating with his father on these genre combinations, he emphasizes that the interaction between them and the audience is what makes their performances stand out.

Whenever I see La Sonora Dinamita take the stage, there’s nothing quite like it – especially when they kick off “Escandalo,” their most iconic tune. The infectious rhythm and lively horns always set the crowd ablaze, and I can feel the excitement as the cheers echo through the venue. As pioneers of cumbia, this Colombian orchestra was established in 1960, boasting a unique blend of 10 brass instruments and a commanding female voice. Throughout their history, various musicians have come and gone, but I had the privilege of joining as the vocalist in 1988, and it’s been an unforgettable journey ever since.

According to Diaz, La Sonora Dimamita stands apart from other cumbia bands. He describes it as a sort of matriarch, with roots deeply ingrained in the rest of the bands. While all cumbias share the same rhythm, their styles vary by country. La Sonora Dimamita was among the pioneers who introduced original Colombian cumbia style to the world.

Due to its rhythmic qualities, she aims to establish a festive family gathering ambiance during her performances. With the Hollywood Bowl being part of her past performances in 2017, she enters this weekend’s show with great anticipation.

Diaz remarked that the Bowl’s audience was stunning, filled with enthusiasm and dancing. He often relates to the crowd as if they were family, cracking jokes among the tunes and encouraging everyone to stand up and groove. I enjoy interacting with them quite a bit, but in a positive sense.

Nora “Nory” Flores has devoted the past 56 years of her life to Los Hermanos Flores, a band renowned for its unique fusion of traditional cumbia percussion rhythms with the smooth melodies of saxophones and trumpets. This Salvadoran group was established in 1962 by her father, Don Andres Rodriguez. Alongside her 10 siblings, Flores first played the saxophone before transitioning into a vocal role within the band. Currently, she expresses her excitement about sharing her family’s tale and music with others.

She stated, ‘For us, if cumbia music isn’t played during Christmas, it feels like there’s no Christmas at all.’ It holds great significance for our nation. We cannot imagine Christmas without cumbia, whether it’s through tradition or nostalgia.

The Flores Brothers are renowned as one of El Salvador’s foremost cumbia groups, often referred to as the nation’s musical emissaries. Currently, Flores consists of just three family members – a brother, a sibling, and a nephew – in the band.

She stated, “As we’re still leading the orchestra, we plan to carry on its journey, adhering to the traditional cumbia style of the Flores Brothers. Our goal is to deliver our finest performance.

Playing the Hollywood Bowl and the Ford

Yeison Landero will never forget his grandfather’s strong passion for preserving his music legacy. Grandson of Andres Landero, the pioneer who first combined wind instruments into cumbia, he grew up in Montes de Maria, near San Jacinto, Colombia. At age 7, he started playing the accordion, being the only musical protégé of his grandfather. Trained in the musical customs of the rural farmers, Landero skillfully infuses these traditional sounds with a contemporary twist.

One key lesson [from my grandfather] that I’ve carried with me is developing my unique approach to music-making. Although I frequently incorporate traditional instruments, I often draw inspiration from various global sources. I blend the accordion with a brief flute, add an electric guitar, and include timbales in my compositions.

Since debuting with his inaugural album “Landero Vive,” a tribute piece honoring his grandfather, this accordionist has devoted his career to traveling and passing down his family’s heritage through music.

He expressed his conviction that his grandfather is rejoicing and cheering in heaven, because the spirit of cumbia – a message of resilience and unity that he originated – remains alive and vibrant.

During transitions between performances at Cumbiaton, entertainers from the female collective will take turns maintaining the lively atmosphere and keeping the crowd dancing. Specializing in a mix of psychedelic cumbias and sonideras, these performers serve to educate the audience about the broader context of the genre during the breaks between artists, as guided by Zachil Vasquez, co-presenter for Ford’s programming and founder of Cumbiaton (DJ Sizzle).

Vasquez explained that we could trace the growth of cumbia from its origins in Colombia through to its fusion with Mexican, American, Chicano, soul, and cumbia music, then back to a full-blown cumbia party. It’s truly captivating to observe everyone standing and dancing, rather than sitting idly.

2017 saw Vasquez initiate Cumbiaton on a DIY stage built from milk crates, nestled within a modest bar in Boyle Heights. Her vision was to establish an inclusive gathering spot where friends could bond through the rhythm of cumbia, in an environment that prioritized safety for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color.

Vasquez stated, ‘I didn’t envision myself performing on stages as grand as the Ford or the Hollywood Bowl.’ However, the universe seemed to reply, ‘Go ahead and aim higher, girl.’

The Musical Group Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto

Torregrosa mentioned, “Our primary musical tool, the gaita, is crafted using cactus wood and beeswax. Similarly, our maracas are fashioned from hollowed-out round fruits containing seeds within.

Because the band has been active for a long time, various roles within it have been handed down from one generation to another, guaranteeing that this style of cumbia will continue to be a significant part of contemporary music.

Torregrosa emphasized that it’s crucial for this tradition to endure. Our focus is on sharing our unique sound, instructing the music, honing our instrument-making skills, and showcasing this legacy and ancestry in various locations – all while ensuring that people remain aware of the Indigenous origins of cumbia and its tradition.

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2024-09-20 23:02