In the 1990s, Eugene Rodriguez wanted to help his teenage students learn Son Jarocho, a regional folk music style from Mexico. So he organized a weeks-long road trip from the Bay Area to Veracruz where that genre of music originates. That is one of the memorable experiences Rodriguez has had as founder of Los Cenzontles, a music group and nonprofit organization based in San Pablo. Hundreds of East Bay young people, mostly of Mexican descent, have come through the organization’s music, dance, and art classes that center traditional folk music from Mexico. Rodriguez chronicles his work celebrating folk music and using it to empower young people in his new memoir, “Bird of Four Hundred Voices: A Mexican American Memoir of Music and Belonging.”
We’ll talk with Rodriguez, who will join us in studio with other musicians from Los Cenzontles for a live performance.
'Bird of Four Hundred Voices' Chronicles Los Cenzontles' Mission to Empower Young People Through Mexican Folk Music
Executive Director Eugene Rodriguez plays the guitar at Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy in San Pablo on Aug. 7, 2024. The academy offers music, dance, and art classes. Los Cenzontles is also the name of the Mexican-American musical group whose core members are academy staff and teachers. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)
Guests:
Eugene Rodriguez, executive director, Los Cenzontles - a Mexican folk band and nonprofit organization based in San Pablo; author of memoir, "Bird of Four Hundred Voices: A Mexican American Memoir of Music and Belonging"
Silvestre Martinez, percussion and music teacher, Los Cenzontles
Verenice Velazquez, development and communications coordinator, Los Cenzontles
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