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| Folkways Presents Venezuelan Folk Legends Serenata Guayanesa Serenata Guayanesa is a musical ensemble, but much more it is a living treasure of Venezuela's musical and cultural heritage. Founded in 1971 in Guayana, the southeastern region along the Orinoco River, by four college students who liked to serenade family and friends, the group swiftly rose to national acclaim through its pioneering interpretations of music in many different styles of folk music from across Venezuela. Serenata Guayanesa gained national attention in 1973 with "Calipso de El Callao, " whose unique Afro-Caribbean calypso edged out the international pop smash "Killing Me Softly" for the top spot in the Venezuela hit parade. Since then, the group has established themselves as celebrators of the Venezuelan identity and invaluable cultural icons. Recording Details: 'Canta con Venezuela' is the 41st release in the Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/Traditions series; the group performs in a variety of Venezuelan musical styles, from boleros ("Desesperanza") and calypsos ("Calipso de El Callao") to the ear-catching 5/8-meter of Venezuelan flag song "El papagayo" and a traditional song entitled "Símon, Símon" that praises the efforts of Venezuelan liberator Símon Bolívar. The album also features enriching liner notes from Smithsonian Folkways director and album co-producer Daniel E. Sheehy. Serenata Guayanesa's traditional lineup of musicians — tenor voice and cuatro guitar player Miguel Ángel Bosch Cárdenas, countertenor and percussionist Mauricio Castro Rodríguez, bass voice and percussionist César Pérez Rossi, and baritone and cuatro guitar player Iván Pérez Rossi write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Jazz News :: home page |