Cambalache

CESAR CASTRO (Requinto, lead vocals and musical director) Began studying son jarocho at the age of 13 with renowned harpist, Andrés Alfonso Vergara in Veracruz. Soon thereafter, he proceeded to study with Gilberto Gutiérrez and was invited to formally join Grupo Mono Blanco, the cornerstone group of El Movimiento Jaranero, at the age of 15. With Gutiérrez and Mono Blanco, Castro’s education was not limited to the music. It was his mentorship with Gutiérrez that rounded out his education in instrument making and teaching pedagogy. However, as a musical participant, Castro learned the great importance of sharing a tradition, community engagement, and creating active citizenry through the son jarocho and fandango. To date, Castro is the only Jarocho sonero residing in the U.S. who teaches the music and tradition in formal and casual settings, traditional luthier, and performer. He is a valuable culture bearer and asset to the Chicano-Jarocho family he has helped build over the last twelve years. XOCHI FLORES (Jarana 3a., zapateado and vocals) Began studying son jarocho with Quetzal Flores and Russell Rodríguez in 2003 and has continued her studies by traveling to Veracruz whenever possible and with Cesar Castro. She formed part of the first Encuentro of Chicano/as/ and Jarochos in Xalapa Veracruz. Since then, Xochi has been instrumental in the Exchange by writing grants to bring artists and community workers to the US, in hosting as well as participating in groups such as Candela (all female son jarocho group from LA) Las No que No (all female son jarocho in Highland Park), and has collaborated with groups like Quetzal, Ozomatli, Son del Centro, Son de Madera and most recently with Laura Rebolloso, in performances, recordings, group presentations, fundraising and workshops. JUAN PEREZ (Bass) Has performed and recorded with one of the most renowned jarocho bands from Veracruz "Son de Madera" for 7 years, and has played with Quetzal for 10 years. Juan is widely recognized as the “go to” chicano bass player for all chicano- jarocho recordings, performances and for overall knowledge of the genre. He has dedicated countless hours to studying the music, participating in fandangos, and to carving out his musical niche, stylizing his own voice in this cultural exchange with the tools he has acquired over the last decade. CHUY SANDOVAL (Jarana 2a., pandero and vocals) Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Chuy Sandoval's early musical background was formed in playing punk rock. He has been an active church musician in the greater Los Angeles area for over ten years and has had the opportunity to work with several OCP (Oregon Catholic Press) artists and composers. Chuy holds a Bachelor of Music in classical guitar performance from CSULA. He was introduced to the traditional form or son jarocho in 2007 and has been an active and serious student of the genre ever since. Cambalache, meaning exchange, is a Chicano-Jarocho group based in East Los Angeles, California.