What is vallenato in Colombia?
Vallenato is an upbeat music from the Atlantic coast of Colombia that fuses instruments of European origin (like the accordion) with poetic lyrics about everyday life and traditional dance rhythms of the Arhuaco, indigenous people from the Sierra Nevada mountains.
What does El vallenato mean in English?
born in the valley
Vallenato (Spanish pronunciation: [baʝeˈnato]) is a popular folk music genre from Colombia. It primarily comes from its Caribbean region. Vallenato literally means “born in the valley”.
What are the defining features of vallenato music?
distinctive Colombian musical form is vallenato, which is grounded in narrative songs and features the accordion or guitar along with the cato (a drum) and the guacharaca (a percussion instrument). The national instrument is the 12-stringed guitarlike tiple.
Is cumbia a Colombian?
Cumbia is a style of Latin music that originated in Colombia and became popular throughout South America, Central America, and the United States. Traditional cumbia music uses a blend of African, Amerindian, and European styles and uses musical instruments such as drums, flutes, maracas, and accordions.
Where is vallenato most popular?
Colombia
Even though Vallenato has always enjoyed enormous popularity in Colombia, the world has been only exposed to this vibrant rhythm for about two decades. In fact, the first international audience for Vallenato came with the music that the charismatic singer Carlos Vives produced back in the early 1990s.
What is vallenato used for?
Traditional vallenatos have four varieties of beats or “airs.” The son is the slowest and is typically used for melancholy songs. The paseo has a varying speed and is the most versatile and common beat. The merengue and the puya are typically faster and are often used for dancing.
Where is vallenato popular?
In the bars, on the streets, in the buses, music is everywhere in Colombia. Cumbia, salsa and reggaeton are among the favorite styles, but vallenato reigns supreme. The genre originates from Colombia’s Caribbean coast and blends African, European and indigenous cultures.
What is Colombia’s music?
Colombia is known as “The land of a thousand rhythms” but actually holds over 1,025 folk rhythms. Some of the best known genres are cumbia and vallenato. The most recognized interpreters of traditional Caribbean and Afrocolombian music are Totó la Momposina and Francisco Zumaqué.
Who is the Queen of cumbia?
Selena Quintanilla-Perez
Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the “Cumbia Queen” of Tejano/Cumbia music gave hope to young aspiring artists to pursue their dreams regardless of any limitations.
Why is vallenato important to Colombia?
From those wandering origins, vallenato went on to travel the world. The music’s emblematic accordion sound accompanied romantic ballads, and was speeded up for dancing; it evolved to suit more modern, urban tastes. Most famously, Carlos Vives gave vallenato pop-star status, taking it to the charts and the Grammys.
Who is the father of vallenato?
Rafael Escalona
Rafael Escalona is usually considered the father of Vallenato and one of the best songwriters in the history of the rhythm. He is the author of some of the most popular vallenatos in history including songs like “La Casa En El Aire,” “La Custodia de Badillo” and “El Testamento”.