Byron Wallen & El Autentico Tamborazo Zacatecano

A special Anglo-Mexican musical collaboration project featuring top British trumpet player Byron Wallen working with local musicians from Zacatecas, Mexico to produce a musical street procession that combines a distinctive Mexican musical tradition with influences from jazz and contemporary music.

The tradition of the callejoneada exists only in the remote desert town of Zactecas, a former colonial silver mining enclave in the Mexican baija. In the midst miles of dry hills and barren rock, this charismatic town harbours a little known musical gem – the tradition of tamborazo music. The phenomenon of callejoneada is a regular tradition where tamborazo groups composed of trumpets, trombones and drums are to be found leading scores of townspeople through the ancient streets and back alleys of the town. Not only music and dancing but ritual consumption of tequila are essential ingredients of the callejoneada. As the procession winds from plaza to plaza it is accompanied by a donkey bearing barrels of locally produced mescal. This is distributed free of charge to anyone who cares to join the party and drunk from special cups that are hung around participants’ necks.

Tour Dates:
Cervantino Festival, Mexico - 23-25 October '09
www.festivalcervantino.gob.mx