Cesar Castro
Mexican son jarocho
Son jarocho is a musical tradition originating in the rural communities of Veracruz, Mexico. At its core is a celebration called el fandango, an all-night event centered around a tarima, or wooden platform, on which dancers stomp out rhythms while musicians play small guitars called jaranas and sing improvised verses. The fandango encourages participation of everyone: young, old, experienced, and novice. The interaction between dancer, singer, and musician generates a spirit of la convivencia, or being together and engaged. Using the fandango concept, musicians and community workers in Veracruz have taken son jarocho across the border into Chicano communities in Los Angeles and beyond.
Cesar Castro began his son jarocho training at the age of thirteen when he enrolled in an afterschool jarana class at his middle school. He studied with master harpist Andres Alfonso Vergara and later Gilberto Gutierrez of Grupo Mono Blanco, with whom Cesar performed and toured for eleven years. Cesar has over 20 years of experience as a multi-instrumentalist, singer, dancer, and an accomplished laudero (luthier), who constructs instruments of the son jarocho tradition.
As a current master artist in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program, Cesar will work with apprentice Luis Sarmiento, training him in the art of lauderia (instrument making), focusing on constructing a jarana.
Cesar participated in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program in 2011 with apprentice Xochi Flores, focusing on increasing Xochi’s skills in zapateado, son jarocho’s dance element, and playing the jarana.
The following video features Cesar Castro (left) and Quetzal Flores playing son jarocho at Occidental College in February 2012.
Gallery
Master son jarocho musician Cesar Castro (left) and his apprentice Xochi Flores, both playing the jarana. Photo: Robert Loza
Master artist Cesar Castro (right) and his 2011 apprentice Xochi Flores, with jarocho instruments. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
The block of wood is shaped into a jarana. Photo: Cesar Castro
Cesar Castro uses a drill press to begin to carve out the sound box of the jarana. Photo: Cesar Castro
Cesar Castro uses a drill press to finish the jarana's sound box. Photo: Cesar Castro
The assembled jarana, with sound board, bridge, nut, and fret board. Photo: Cesar Castro
Master artist Cesar Castro (right) and his 2011 apprentices Xochi Flores. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
Master artist Cesar Castro playing a guitarra de son. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
Master artist Cesar Castro playing a guitarra de son. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
Xochi Flores playing the jarana jarocha. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
Xochi Flores using an iPhone to tune a jarana. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
Dancers on a tarima, a small wooden platform that is danced upon, at a fandango. Photo: Russell C. Rodríguez
A solid block of cedro wood from which Cesar Castro will create a jarana. Photo: Cesar Castro
The shape of the jarana is drawn onto the wood block. Photo: Cesar Castro
The jarana's sound box. Photo: Cesar Castro
Cesar assembles the jarana's fretboard. Photo: Cesar Castro
A family of son jarocho instrucments constructed by Cesar Castro. Photo courtesy of Cesar Castro.
