Cimarrón

Cimarrón is the celebrated ensemble from Los Llanos Orientales, the vast plains that stretch from Colombia into Venezuela. The mestizo people that inhabit these savannahs on the great Orinoco River are descendants of Spanish settlers, African slaves and indigenous peoples. This is cattle rearing country where music accompanies the working task of daily life. Most striking is the dance music called joropo, a masterful display of rippling melodies played on harp, bandola and cuatro accompanied by bass, cajón and maracas. This rapid and joyous music is sung with high-pitched voices reminiscent of Andalusian Gypsy roots. Cimarrón is a seven piece band, led by harpist and composer Carlos Rojas, that has been working together for over twenty years. They were nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005 and for four Independent Music Awards in 2012, winning Best Latin Album for ¡Cimarrón! Joropo Music from the Plains of Colombia, a Smithsonian Folkways recording.