Global Classroom for Tlen-Huicani
Members of the traditional Mexican folk group Tlen-Huicani are adamant about preserving the integrity of the music they play, but they aren’t selfishly protective. They’ve even helped others who are adapting traditional sounds to appeal to modern audiences.
“Kids today are listening to a lot of electronic music,” Alberto de la Rosa, the long-running sextet’s 52-year-old leader, said by phone from a stop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on a tour that brings the group to San Juan Capistrano on Saturday.
“That’s OK,” De la Rosa said, “but I want them to appreciate the beauty of our history and traditions too. We’re on the road, working very hard, to keep this festive music alive for years to come. But we can’t do it alone--or forever.”
To the extent that Tlen-Huicani can’t do it alone, he’s mentored other musicians, including siblings Cindy and Libby Harding, leaders of Conjunto Jardin, an up-and-coming Los Angeles-based group that adds modern touches, including electronic keyboards, to elements of traditional Mexican and South American music.
According to jarana player-vocalist Libby Harding, Conjunto Jardin would never have formed were it not for Tlen-Huicani.
“They play a wider variety of music than we do, but we couldn’t do what we’re doing if they didn’t exist,” said Harding, who met De la Rosa 15 years ago at a mutual friend’s wedding. Awe-struck by his music, Harding asked to study with him, and he obliged.
Said Harding: “The maestro De la Rosa is the absolute authority. . . . He plays with such emotion, and his syncopation is extraordinary. We can’t really do anything without his input.”
The foundation for Tlen Huicani--which means “the singers” in the Indian language of Nahuatl--consists primarily of two styles of folk music: the slower-paced, violin-driven huasteco of northern Veracruz and the uptempo “La Bamba” jarocho prominent in the state’s southern region.
The group, which formed in 1973 in Veracruz’s capital city of Jalapa, also plays traditional music of Latin American countries including Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay, Colombia and Ecuador.
While De la Rosa’s harpa jarocha (indigenous folk harp) and Alfonso Lagunes’ lead vocals anchor the group, the eight-string jarana, four-string requinto and the bass-like guitarron all figure prominently in the instrumental mix. As heard on their third U.S. release, last year’s richly textured and buoyant “Concierto Romantico.”
Tlen-Huicani’s joyous music seems ideally suited festive occasions such the Cinco de Mayo celebration the group played Wednesday at Luna Park in West Hollywood.
“Veracruz is a land of warm, spirited people. . . . Valentine’s Day is a big celebration in Jalapa,” De la Rosa said. “We made ‘Concierto Romantico’ to express our feelings for our loved ones. It has some favorite traditional love songs from all over Latin America . . . ones that are ideal for the romantic feel and nature of the harpa jarocha.”
While Mexico City-born De la Rosa sometimes struggles with English, he has no such difficulties when it comes to the music he plays.
“He knows all of the songs, can play all of the instruments, and he’s a fabulous dancer,” said Cindy Harding, Conjunto Jardin’s requinto player. “He’s really one of the leading personajes [celebrities] of jarocho music.”
“Mr. De la Rosa recorded all of these tapes for us of very traditional jarocho music, and there’s no doubt he’d like us to play in more of that pure style. Even so, he’s been extremely supportive and helped us take the next step in our evolution.”
Tlen-Huicani is finishing up its next release, an hommage to Veracruz titled “Pasion Jarocha.” Said De la Rosa: “It’s music from my heart and soul, but recordings just cannot capture the excitement of when we play before an audience.
“This is folk music for the people. . . . They’re songs to be sung together,” he said. “To see the crowds smile and laugh and sing and dance--to make that . . . conexion--that’s special, mi amigo. That’s why we travel and play all over the world.”
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* Tlen-Huicani plays Saturday at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, 31495 El Camino Real. 7 and 9 p.m. $3-$6. (949) 248-7469.
Please see Tlen-Huicani, F18
