Treces del Sur is a Latin music band whose work embodies the multi-national makeup of Latino history in New Orleans. To varying degrees, the members represent Spanish, Caribbean, South American and North American diasporas. What they have in common is an enduring desire to keep Spanish language and sounds alive in the New Orleans music scene.
Comprised of Mexican vocalist and guitarist Lydian; Cuban vocalist, Rachel; Honduran musical director and sax player, Ronald; Arizonan tenor sax player, Isaac; Wisconsonite trumpet player, Carrie; Californian trombonist, Daniel; New Orleans pianist Vincent; Puerto Rican bass player, Jose; New Orleans drummer, Rob; Dominican tambora player, Gil; and Puerto Rican conga/tumbas player Ignacio, the band will perform at Gretna Heritage Festival. Ahead of their auspicious gig, Ignacio shared his thoughts on Latino representation in New Orleans music and more.
Do you think New Orleans celebrates its Latin music heritage enough?
During the last 25 to 30 years, Latin music has evolved around the world. In the ’70s, you had salsa. In the ’80s through the late ’90s, merengue, which was the partial introduction to regueton and bachata. At the turn of the century, like a tsunami, for a lack of a better description, regueton and bachata hit the radio airwaves and it spread all over the world. My point is that as Latin music has evolved, so have the generations of music listeners.
As best as it can New Orleans celebrates Latin music heritage yearly. You have Cinco de Mayo parties around the city, a couple of Latin festivals during the year. You know, the Latin culture itself here in New Orleans celebrates on a daily to weekly basis. Families get together and lounge, drink, eat, dance, and do much more. It is important to acclimate to where we live, but it’s also important to pass our roots from generation to generation as much as we can.
What are some of the different styles and genres of Latin music represented in New Orleans?
There is so much variety of sounds or genres here in New Orleans. There is a small fusion of cuban, Afro, French, Italian, and Latin salsa that vibrate through club doors. We, Treces del Sur , play specific genres such as merengue, salsa, cumbia, bachata, punta, regueton and more. These genres expose different styles of rhythm, tempo, and sound. It’s not a walk in the park to be the type of band to play these different types of genres or style. However, I am fortunate to have the musicians I have in the band. They put a great effort to interpret, and that is how we are able to stay consistent playing in and out of the city, in festivals, in corporate events and private parties.
Why is it important for you to perform Latin music in this city?
We have been featured in New Orleans with a Twist, and New Orleans Music Playlist. Last year through the summer and fall season, the House of Blues called and asked us to perform on a weekly basis. Not only was it fun, but it was advantageous in exposing our talent and music to tourists and the city of New Orleans. When locals saw and heard the band, they were surprised, and with the tourists, supported us. “We live and are based in New Orleans!” we responded, after being asked by locals as to where we were from. They were genuinely shocked. They couldn’t believe it—and I have to say that we loved their reaction. ‘Til this day it makes us feel really good that we are doing the right thing.
Treces del Sur performs to entertain; to promote our Latin culture. Our roots are strong, still striving here in New Orleans and full of creativity, rhythm and the public craves it! When we perform and do our show, from the first to the last song, the crowd dances.
Could you please tell us, in Spanish, why you are excited to perform at Gretna Heritage Fest?
El festival de la herencia de Gretna es sumamente grande o igual de grande como es el festival de Jazz de Nueva Orleans. Tenemos músicos que se han dedicado y concentrado sus vidas en los instrumentos que tocan, y en la música que interpretan o hacen. Con todo este labor, cuando los organizadores del festival me llamaron y me informaron que habíamos sido invitados a hacer presentación musical, la verdad que fue una alegría inmensa y para los músicos de la orquesta. Ya que les había confirmado, estuvimos a punto de explotar de emoción queriendo contárselo a todos nuestros familiares, pero debido a las reglas del contrato, por razones de relación publicas, tuvimos que aguantar el anuncio hasta que se hiciera oficial. Te puedes imaginar la reacción de todos los familiares cuando se los contamos! Vamos a disfrutar con el publico con nuestra música del repertorio y les tenemos una sorpresa con nuestra música original para la ciudad de Nueva Orleans. Esperamos que tengamos apoyo de Latinos al frente de la tarima e igual el apoyo de todos para que si vean lo que es y ser un orgullo músico hispano y americano aquí en esta ciudad. Queremos agradecer al festival de herencia de Gretna por haber darnos esta oportunidad de representar no solo a nuestro país natal, pero a la ciudad de Gretna—tan bonita que es, pero también a la ciudad de Nueva Orleans. Nosotros somos Treces del Sur – La orquesta de música Latina de Nueva Orleans. Estaremos en la tarima del mercado (Market Stage) el 30 de septiembre a las 11:30 de la mañana.
Treces del Sur will perform at Gretna Heritage Fest on Sunday, September 30. Find them on the Market Stage from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
