You are here:  / Columns / International Music Coverage / Music Sin Fronteras / New Music / News / Music Sin Fronteras. 5.7.2025

Music Sin Fronteras. 5.7.2025

A great weekend of Mexican music

We had a great weekend for music.  Three nights in a row at three different venues and three different types of music.  We started off at our favorite Italian restaurant, run by a truly remarkable woman, Barbara Romero.  She took what was a 4-table hole -in -the wall to restaurants in Guadalajara and a 20+ table restaurant in Ajijic, while getting married and having a baby. One of the secrets of her success is her training with chefs in Italy; the other is in her careful selection of great local music talent.

Friday night, the talent was Old Souls, a 4-piece  Americana band made up of a guitarist and lead singer with a punk rock background,  an Irish female signer, two top-notch Mexicans on the drums and bass, and a pedal steel guitarist from the American south.  It worked.  

The songs were mostly standards – a couple of originals – but the audience, both Mexican and Expat, were singing and humming along over their pasta and tequila. Old Soul’s rendition of “City of New Orleans” almost made me cry – I rode that train before it was cancelled, and it brought back memories of crossing the Lake Pontchartrain causeway at sunrise.

Saturday night was a unique treat  The Latin Matters Quartet, led by master jazz guitarist Juan Castanon, at a house concert at Castanon’s home, which turns out to be very large with a patio that accommodated the band, the bar, and 40 people, plus an art gallery for his wife’s magnificent ethnic dolls and paintings. The music ranged from jazz standards with a Latin flavor to a few reinterpretations of popular songs, to marvelous guitar riffs by Castanon and standup electric bass solos by Freddie  Adrian. The only glitch was finding the place- Castanon’s house number is 8a-  which turned out to be 3 blocks and a lot of umbers from #8 on the same street.

Sunday night was a tablau– essentially, a flamenco party – held at  La Cochera Cultural, one of the best local venues for jazz, indigenous music, and Mexican flamenco.  The night was billed as a flamenco performance by the renowned dancer and maestro, El Torombo, on tour from Spain. José Suárez Torombo,  a Sevillian flamenco dancer with an international career, presents a flamenco ‘peña’ (performance)with his own style.   He was backed up by musicians and dancers from Ajijic and Guadalajara – all outstanding bailarines de flamenco with great reputations.

LCC was overflowing; every seat in the spacious patio (which can hold up to a hundred) was filled. We marveled at the astonishing flamenco singing of Soleo Gollas, accompanied by Emelia Galvez on the cajon and Fernando Marinez on guitar. Sofia Arce wowed us with the fastest high-speed footwork I have ever seen in flamenco. She was followed by a huapango band (indigenous music from Veracruz) with a donkey jawbone for a background beat and the zapateado high-speed tap dancing for the rhythm.   They kicked their set off with “La Bamba”, originally a huapango song that Richie Valens popularized in 1968.

As the sun set on the outdoor venue and the stage lights came on, we were treated to sequential dances by ‘Torombo’s local students and other local dancers (who were very good), a jazz flamenco piece by saxman Chuco Soto and bass player Gilberto Rios (whose new album is due soon) and the rest of the flamenco plyers, and several more dances by the tall, lovely and very fast moving and talented Sofia Arce.

Altogether a great music weekend in Mexico.


Patrick O’Heffernan, PhD., is a music journalist and radio broadcaster based in Los Angeles, California, with a global following. His two weekly radio programs, MusicFridayLive! and MusicaFusionLA are heard nationwide and in the UK. He focuses on two music specialties: emerging bands in all genres, and the growing LA-based ALM genre (American Latino Music) that combines rock and rap, blues and jazz and pop with music from Latin America like cumbia, banda, jarocho and mariachi. He also likes to watch his friend drag race.

613 Comments

  • link vegas108

    / Reply

    Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. But think about if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this site could certainly be one of the very best in its niche. Good blog!

  • ulti 188

    / Reply

    I think this site holds some real excellent information for everyone. “Loving someone is easy but losing someone is hard.” by Shelby Harthcock.

  • login intiwin

    / Reply

    Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.

  • ocean conservation

    / Reply

    Great tremendous things here. I?¦m very satisfied to see your post. Thank you a lot and i am having a look forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  • natural mounjaro

    / Reply

    Hiya very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?KI’m satisfied to search out so many useful info here in the submit, we want work out more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  • ace90bet

    / Reply

    hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this site, as I experienced to reload the website lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again very soon..

  • natural mounjaro

    / Reply

    you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

  • ace90bet

    / Reply

    My wife and i felt very delighted Louis could do his web research by way of the ideas he made through the site. It is now and again perplexing to just continually be giving away tips and hints that a number of people may have been trying to sell. We fully grasp we need the writer to be grateful to for that. The explanations you have made, the simple web site menu, the friendships you make it easier to create – it is mostly sensational, and it is leading our son and the family understand that content is amusing, which is seriously important. Thanks for all the pieces!

  • mitolyn review

    / Reply

    Nice post. I study one thing more difficult on totally different blogs everyday. It is going to always be stimulating to read content from other writers and follow just a little one thing from their store. I’d desire to use some with the content on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink in your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.

  • Tonic Greens

    / Reply

    Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website in web explorer, may check thisK IE nonetheless is the market chief and a huge part of other people will leave out your wonderful writing because of this problem.

  • Prime Biome

    / Reply

    Pretty part of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access constantly fast.

  • ace90bet

    / Reply

    I think this is among the most significant info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  • Nerve Freedom

    / Reply

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  • rajabandot link alternatif

    / Reply

    Great web site. Lots of helpful info here. I?¦m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your sweat!

  • Glyco Shield

    / Reply

    I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  • Mitolyn Reviews

    / Reply

    Wow, fantastic blog layout! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for? you make running a blog look easy. The whole look of your site is wonderful, as neatly as the content!

  • Tonic Greens

    / Reply

    Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.

  • teste cs da net

    / Reply

    Valuable information. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I am shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.

  • Tonic Greens

    / Reply

    hello!,I like your writing so so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence more approximately your article on AOL? I require an expert in this area to unravel my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking ahead to look you.

  • fritadeira industrial elétrica

    / Reply

    Very good site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get advice from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!

  • consultoria empresarial online

    / Reply

    Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

  • Tonic Greens

    / Reply

    Good write-up, I¦m normal visitor of one¦s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

  • Soulmate Sketch

    / Reply

    You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

  • autospin777

    / Reply

    Hiya very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I am satisfied to find numerous useful information right here in the submit, we want work out extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  • togelup

    / Reply

    I just could not leave your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information an individual supply for your guests? Is gonna be back regularly to inspect new posts.

  • alexaslot138 login

    / Reply

    I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as smartly as with the format to your blog. Is this a paid subject or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one today..

  • Beast Force

    / Reply

    I think other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and superb user pleasant design.

  • addictions

    / Reply

    Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  • GamblingAddiction

    / Reply

    Wow! Thank you! I continually wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I include a portion of your post to my blog?

  • panic attacks

    / Reply

    I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i?¦m satisfied to convey that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I such a lot indisputably will make certain to do not omit this web site and give it a look on a continuing basis.

  • kao’s

    / Reply

    I?¦ve recently started a web site, the information you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.

  • Mitolyn

    / Reply

    I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I’ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?

  • Registro di Commercio di Ginevra

    / Reply

    My brother recommended I may like this web site. He was entirely right. This put up actually made my day. You cann’t believe simply how so much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  • sign document

    / Reply

    I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this web site and give it a look regularly.

  • Mitolyn

    / Reply

    Thank you for another great article. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.

  • contratar serviços

    / Reply

    I am continuously invstigating online for articles that can facilitate me. Thank you!

  • Ethical hacking training programs

    / Reply

    Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write again soon!

  • omaslot

    / Reply

    I simply couldn’t leave your web site before suggesting that I really loved the standard info an individual supply to your visitors? Is going to be back often in order to check out new posts.

  • Free AI sex chat

    / Reply

    I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.

  • Houston Kasula

    / Reply

    I really like your writing style, great information, thank you for posting :D. “Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.” by Johathan Edwards.

  • rajapola slot

    / Reply

    Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Great. I’m also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your hard work.

  • miyabi savannah

    / Reply

    Hello very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally…I am glad to search out so many helpful information right here in the put up, we want develop more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.

  • Yong Liles

    / Reply

    I view something really special in this site.

Leave a Reply to glycoshield review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked ( required )

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shutter 16 Magazine:

info@shutter16.com

Tune In To Our Podcast:


REVERBNATION


Enter for a chance to be featured!

LIVENATION