All Songs Considered Alt.Latino: Accordions!
Jun 4, 2025
Eduardo Díaz, former director of the Smithsonian Latino Center and co-founder of the International Accordion Festival, dives into the vibrant world of accordion music in Latin America. He discusses how Eastern European immigration influenced genres like Vallenato and conjunto, emphasizing the accordion's communal nature. The episode celebrates lively songs such as 'La Pollera Colorada' and explores the Brazilian fojo genre's evolution. Díaz also highlights the rich blend of indigenous, African, and European influences in rural Latin American music, showcasing its cultural significance.
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Felix's Accordion Band Experience
- Felix Contreras shares his high school experience playing with a Mexican accordion band in Sacramento.
- He was amazed by the intensity and richness of accordion music in Mexican tradition.
Accordion as Musical Backbone
- The accordion remains a backbone and key to the mysticism of Latin American music.
- Its sound continues to attract and engage listeners today.
Accordion's Unique Adaptability
- The accordion is portable, loud, and versatile, allowing European immigrants' music to adapt in the Americas.
- It paved the way for new versions of European music to develop in Latin America.