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Guillermo Velázquez
Personal details
- Name
- Velázquez, Guillermo
Bertsolarism
- Main specialization
- Improviser
- Jarduerei buruzko azalpenak
- Mexikoko trobadorea
Biographical details
- Biography
- In 1977 this minstrel got started on the dynamics of minstreling and playing, by learning from old musicians and poets at the topadas. As a result he was responsible for the reappearance of this tradition which was practically unknown outside the Mexican region of San Luis Potosí before 1980. This mystical and poetic tradition is known as "Huapango Arribeño", a hybrid genre with historical references which date back to the 10th century and which is thought to have close links with the traditions of the minstrels and troubadors of the middle ages. Guillermo has developed a personal style which uses social, cultural and political themes linked to his region, country and the world. He has renewed poetical and musical forms and contents of such tradition and has improved the literary quality of versification. He has taken part in various events and International Festivals in Moscow, Puerto Rico, Kenia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, England, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Spain, The United States, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Germany, Cuba etc. He also has more than 20 recordings with bands such as Los Leones de la Sierra de Xichú.
..Los Leones de la Sierra de Xichú..
The huasteco sound has turned into one of the most popular singings of the begining of the XXIst century. It lives a really good period and its area of influence goes through nine states of the central, oriental and northwest region of the Republic: Puebla, Hidalgo, Mexico, Veracruz, Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. Even if several groups are yet unknown, Los Leones de la Sierra de Xichú from Guanajuato's region have accompanied troubadours as Guillermo Velázquez since 1982. Besides the new songs, another expression of its fortress, according to Jose Inés Suárez, violin of the group, lays in the first observations of technical - musical renovation that appear in Guanajuato's huapango, following those that were introduced in the middle of the previous century, in Tamaulipas. These innovations were exhibited precisely by Los Leones de la Sierra del Xichú. Instead of the traditional trio formed with violin, jarana and guitar, the group manages to harmonize the sound of violins, jarana, guitar, requinto and electrical bass. There has never been neither critique nor opposition to this innovation. 20 years ago, The Leones gave origin to the Huapango Meeting of the II International Fair of the Ridge, where at least three thousand people listen to several groups that play toccatas because of the Holy Thursday.