October 16, 2006
Lalo Guerrero tribute concert October 19
concludes Arboretum series
The UCSC Arboretum will conclude its 2006 concert series on
October 19 with a tribute to the late Mexican American singer
and composer Lalo Guerrero. Performers include Danny Valdez,
star of the movie Zoot Suit, members of the group Ozomatli,
members of Mariachi Azteca de San Jose, and a collaboration
of Bay Area Chicano musicians.
Lalo Guerrero
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Widely regarded as the father of Chicano music, Lalo Guerrero
wrote and recorded songs in virtually every genre of Latin music,
including salsa, norteña, banda, rancheras, boleros,
corridos, cumbias, mambos, cha cha chas, socially relevant songs,
swing, rock and roll, and blues. His songs dominated the charts
in the U.S., Mexico, and South America during the peak of his
recording career in the 1950s and 60s. His son, Mark
Guerrero, notes that "[Lalo Guerrero's] songs about
Cesar Chavez and the farm workers, the braceros, martyred journalist
Ruben Salazar, and the plight of undocumented workers have chronicled
Chicano history and inspired his people." In 1996 he was
presented with the National Medal of the Arts at a White House
ceremony in recognition of a lifetime of creative achievement.
Lalo Guerrero performed all over the world and with great energy
until shortly before his death in 2005 at the age of 88.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets
are $11 in advance and $13 at the door. Tickets may be purchased
at Logos bookstore in downtown Santa Cruz and Norrie's Gift Shop
at the Arboretum. For more information, go to Arboretum
Music Series web site.