The Mexican-American musical group Los Cenzontles is joining forces with Preservation Hall Foundation as the historic venue’s newest artists in residence. Preservation Hall’s Artist-in-Residence program invites artists of all kinds– musicians, visual creators, dancers, and more– to be a part of the Preservation Hall community. Artists-in-residence engage in exchange and collaboration in order to develop their art form.
Los Cenzontles’ short-term residency will run from December 10 through December 14. They will be performing at the Mexican Cultural Institute at Mexican Consulate in New Orleans on Wednesday, December 12 at 6 p.m. and again at Preservation Hall on Thursday, December 13 beginning at 8 p.m.
The California-based band is heavily influenced by Mexican regional folk music. Their influences include a number of national sub-genres including mariachi, banda, michoacan, norteno and rancheras, mixed with hints of rock-and-roll and country music.
“We are thrilled that our first visit to New Orleans is hosted by Preservation Hall, an organization that shares our passion for heritage and community,” said Eugene Rodriguez of Los Cenzontles. “We can’t wait to hear the sounds, eat the food, feel the energy, and meet the people that we have heard so much about.”
Preservation Hall (and its namesake Foundation) stands as a landmark New Orleans music venue located in the French Quarter. Since 1961, they have worked to “protect, preserve, and perpetuate Traditional New Orleans Jazz.” Although they remain rooted in jazz tradition, the Preservation Hall Foundation expands on its programs to include a diverse range of musical genres, as shown in their choice of Los Cenzontles as the newest resident band.
In a statement, the director of programs at the Preservation Hall Foundation Ashley Shabankareh said, “The Preservation Hall Foundation is excited to work with Los Cenzontles. From their educational efforts to performing worldwide, this group is a fantastic example of how artists can play a positive impact in their community while staying true to their cultural traditions.”
