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Venezuela's C4 Trío Performs in Miami and New York

By Kris Simmons

The Venezuelan group brought their explosive music to Americas Society audiences in two U.S. cities on April 18 and 20.

The MetLife Foundation Music of the Americas Concert Series was proud to bring one of Venezuela’s most popular cuatro groups, C4 Trío, to Miami and New York City. The group performed to packed houses in both cities and brought audiences to their feet with their explosive rhythms. Last week’s concerts featured a unique performance of old and new repertoire including original takes on pop music standards like The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood and Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely. The shows also included versions of traditional pieces like Periquera con seis por derecho and original pieces by members of the Trio. The concert provided opportunities for each musician to showcase their own technical mastery and concluded with each cuatrista forming a sort of triangle with the other two, performing on each other’s cuatro. By the end of each performance, applause was insufficient for the audience to show their amazement, and the group received a boisterous standing ovation from their Miami and New York audiences.

Founded by Jorge Glem, Héctor Molina, and Edward Ramírez, C4 Trío is composed of three virtuosos of the cuatro, a typical Venezuelan folk music instrument. The Trío forms part of the Movida Acústica Urbana, or Urban Acoustic Movement, which features instrumental music ensembles such as Los Sinvergüenzas, Kapicúa, enCayapa, Nuevas Almas, and Kamarata Jazz. These groups share an artistic vision: creating music that approaches traditional Venezuelan music with both respect for tradition and an eye toward the future. The members of C4 decided to begin combining their familiarity with traditional Venezuelan music with a contemporary sensibility in 2005 at the International Cuatro Festival in Caracas. Their strong CD sales opened the possibility for more concerts in Venezuela and abroad. In Europe, the Trío participated in the 2007 Salisbury International Art Festival along with performances at the Bolivar Hall in London. In 2008, the group made several South American appearances in Montevideo and at the Mercado Cultural de Bahia in Brazil. Joined by bassist Rodner Padilla in 2009, C4 Trío has collaborated with leading Venezuelan musicians including Aquiles Báez, Serenata Guayanesa, and Roberto Koch.

The C4 Trio has released two CDs and reached double gold certification in Venezuela. They have appeared in Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela. For more information on the group and information on upcoming shows please visit www.c4trio.com.
 

Zumba cum laude performed live at Americas Society by C4 Trío

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Norwegian Wood arranged and performed by C4 Trío at the Colony Theater in Miami, FL

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