Music of the Americas: Traditional Music and Crossroads

Wednesday, January 21, 10 am

El Tour del Joropo is a cultural, musical, and educational initiative founded by Alfredo Gutiérrez and Deyvid Fayola to promote Venezuelan joropo. Its approach integrates live music, dance, educational narration, and theatrical elements, successfully connecting with diverse audiences. Each performance is a celebration of Venezuelan identity and an invitation to delve deeper into this genre, recognized by UNESCO in 2025 as Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

From Caracas, the group, which includes Gutiérrez on maracas and voice alongside Enmanuel Araque on mandolin, Juan Briceño on bass, and Luis Cuevas on cuatro, sent us this video of the traditional "Golpe de arpa con estribillo," from the eastern part of the country. 

Thursday, January 22, 10 am

Leandro Diaz Keller is an Argentine guitarist and composer who has released several albums including Animista, featuring original music for seven-string guitar, and Iniciático, which includes original music with the ensemble Bagual, which he directs. 

From Buenos Aires, he sent us this video of "Bienvenida para el que llega a medianoche (Exú)," an original instrumental composition for seven-string guitar dedicated to Exú, a messenger and guardian of roads and crossroads in Afro-Brazilian religions.

Friday, January 23, 10 am

Alejandro Loredo is a multifaceted musician and instrument maker from Guadalajara who has explored various musical genres, specializing in the music and instrument making of the Veracruz Sotavento region. He has received scholarships and awards in music, instrument making, and visual arts. He was a performer and music director of the group Caña Dulce y Caña Brava for more than 10 years, spreading son jarocho music through tours and workshops throughout the world. 

"El Cascabel" is a traditional folk song from the Sotavento region of southern Mexico. Alejandro performs the song with the jarana de arco, an instrument he designed and built himself.

The MetLife Foundation Music of the Americas concert series is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor MetLife Foundation.

The 2025–2026 series is also supported, in part, by the Howard Gilman Foundation, Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, The Augustine Foundation, the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, and The Amphion Foundation.