The Villalobos Brothers were born and raised in
Xalapa, Mexico, an hour away from the port city of
Veracruz. They spent their childhood listening to their grandmother, Cristina Vásquez play music for enjoyment after the work day, accompanying dancers at a country
fandango, or playing for guests dining in the many coastal restaurants. The trio learned the violin at a young age, and soon learned to sing and play other instruments, including the guitar, the piano and the thin-bodied guitars by the name of
jaranas. They eventually moved on to specialize in classical violin and composition, which further developed into the creation of their own style of playing, called "Fast-Chatting Violin"[1] which involves a rapid succession of notes and percussive sounds that imitate the human voice.
From 1990 to 2000 they studied classical violin with Carlos Marrufo Gurrutia,[2] and composition and counterpoint with Eugeniusz Sleziak Kandora,[3] Roberto Lira López, and Ryszard Siwy Machalica.[4][5]
Although the three Villalobos Brothers are classically trained on the violin, their music draws influence from many genres, including
Son Jarocho (a musical style from their native city of
Veracruz). Jarocho describes the unique style as being created by the people and culture of the southern coastal plain of Veracruz, who for more than two centuries have shaped a distinctive regional music which intertwines fundamentals of Jazz, Rock and Blues.[1]
Most of their original music features complex patterns of interwoven three-violin harmonies, intricate call-and-response arrangements and lyrical melodies carried out by one of the brothers as the other two reinforce it in counterpoint.[22]
While touring in support of their album, Ernesto Villalobos noted, "Due to our training in different parts of the world, each brother brings something unique to the table: From my years in New York and Israel my violin playing style and technique are closest to the
Galamian, or American school. Alberto studied in Belgium under Igor Oistrakh, perfecting the Russian school and Luis followed the German school under Nicolas Chumachenco. But in the end these are of course only labels...We grew up together, making music together for many years in the tropics of Veracruz, Mexico"[22]
In addition, The Villalobos Brothers have created their own signature style of violin playing called "Fast-Chatting Violin"[1][23] by incorporating elements of classical music, jazz and indigenous
Son Jarocho and
Son Huasteco, a genre extensively researched and embraced by Alberto Villalobos.[22] In 2009 he spent a year in the Huasteca region of
Veracruz recording and transcribing Sones Huastecos that have been verbally passed down for centuries from generation to generation and were in danger of being lost.
Carnegie Hall concerts
Joan and Sanford I. Weill Recital Hall
On 23 October 2005 The Villalobos Brothers reunited in New York City for their debut recital at
Carnegie Hall.[12][24] The concert was also a sold-out benefit for The Shul of New York[25] and included the following musicians:
Carlos Pereira[26]piano and guitar, Matt Snyder[27]clarinet, Kathleen Tagg[28]piano, Dave Hertzberg[29]bass, Ramón Ponce Jr.[30]vihuela and guitarrón, Ilmar Gavilán[31]violin, Humberto Flores[32]guitar, An Vanhauwaert violin, Morley Kamen[33]voice, Adam Feder[34]guitar, Cristina Vásquez voice, Yamani Fuentes[35]flute, Seth Ginsberg[36]mandolin, Daniel Sadownick[37]percussion.
Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage
On 17 December 2006, The Villalobos Brothers were invited back to
Carnegie Hall,[38][39] this time leading the music program for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company's[40] production at the
Isaac Stern Auditorium involving over a hundred dancers and musicians and with the special participation of the Mariachi Academy of New York.[41][42] For this concert, the brothers premiered several original compositions, including "Anochipa Tlalticpac" for chorus, jaranas, and pre-Columbian percussion.
Notable guest musicians included: Pedro da Silva[43]guitar, Cristina Vásquez voice, Nilko Andreas Guarin[44]guitar, Mauricio O'Reilly[45]voice, Martin Vejarano[46]percussion, Selene Muñoz[47]voice, Adam Feder[34]voice, Roman García voice, Jocelyn Medina[48]voice,
Verónica Valerio[49]harp and voice Todd Carter[50]voice, Yamani Fuentes[51]flute, Lilly Lavner[52]voice, Ramón Ponce Sr.[30]trumpet, Ramón Ponce Jr.[30]vihuela, Miguel Ponce[30]guitarrón.
The Villalobos Brothers have been acclaimed as violin virtuosos and one of the leading ensembles of world music.[24][1][56][57] Critical comments on The Villalobos Brothers include:
Following a 12 November 2006, concert at
Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, The Forward noted that "...they played with exuberant intensity for the appreciative audience...Ernesto returned his attention to his violin, his long, dark hair flying through the air as his bow raced across the strings....With their heads bowed as if in prayer, their fingers jumping and feet tapping, they weren't just playing music, they were living it..."[24]
In 2009, their music was described as "High Octane Mexican Fiddling" by The New Victory Theater.[58]
The Villalobos Brothers,[70]Villa-Lobos, 2009 (self-titled album) featuring: David Glukh, trumpet, Oscar Rosales, trumpet, Dave Hertzberg, bass, Samuel Zabaleta, drums.[71]
Collaborations
Hope Harris,[72]Cousins Jamboree, 2010 (appear on), Holcomb Rock Road[73]
The Chieftains featuring Ry Cooder,[74]San Patricio, 2010 (appear with
Lila Downs), Hear Music[75]
In Memoriam: Allen Klein,[76]The Best...Is Yet To Come, 2009 (arrangements, appear on), ABKCO Records
Dan Zanes,[77]Nueva York, 2008 (appear on), Festival Five Records[78]
The Shul Band,[79]Instrumental, 2007 (appear on), Boom-Boom Studios[80]
Morley,[81]Days Like These, 2006 (appear on), Universal Music-France[82]
Leni Stern,[83]Love Comes Quietly, 2006 (collaboration with Adam Rudolph), Leni Stern Recordings[84]
The Shul Band,[93]Alive at the Shul of New York, 2004 (appear on), K-Studios
Eddie Palmieri,[94]Ritmo Caliente, 2003 (appear on), Concord Records[95]
Movies and documentaries
Original soundtracks
Oscar Frasser, El Águila Negra, Original soundtrack composed by Luis Villalobos featuring tenor Román García, 2011 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), CUNY Short Films
United Nations Radio,[96]Gender Equality And 15 Year-Olds,[97] Original soundtrack composed by Ernesto Villalobos featuring soprano Claudia Bianca Montes, 2010 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), United Nations Radio Unit, New York
Caitlin McEwan, Moving Pictures,[98] featuring
Caitlin Fitzgerald at
IMDb, Original soundtrack composed by Alberto Villalobos, 2009 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), 12 Weeks 12 Films
Instrumentalists
Richard Temtchine, a film writer and director,[99][100][101]How to Seduce Difficult Women,[102] Original soundtrack by Pedro da Silva, 2009 (appear on), Quadrant Entertainment
Javier Chapa at
IMDb, Harvest of Redemption,[103] Original soundtrack by Richard Martinez 2007 (appear on), Chapa-Perez Entertainment
John J. Valadez and Cristina Ibarra,[106]The Last Conquistador,[107] Original soundtrack by Richard Martinez, 2007 (appear on), PBS Point of View
Plays
Zona Rosa[108] a play by Carlos Morton directed by Michael Barakiva.[109] Music performed by The Villalobos Brothers at Queens Theatre in the Park[110] 14 May 2011[111]
The Roses on the Rocks[114] a play by
Ellen Boscov,[115] directed by Richard Caliban.[116] Original music by Rana Santacruz,[117] performed by Alberto Villalobos[118]
In June 2008 The Villalobos Brothers were featured as soloists at the National Dance Institute's[121] Event of the Year "Volando a México". This series of concerts involved over 200 dancers and musicians and told the story of two Mexican-American children living in New York City who fly to Mexico for the first time. This series was directed by Jenny Seham and the musical director was Jerry Korman. As part of this same event, they were also invited to appear in a short film by NDI's Artistic Director
Jacques d'Amboise, The Children of the Roses.[122]
Later that year, they also toured the West Coast of the US with him as part of the show Holiday House Party With Dan Zanes and Friends, making stops at the
Moore Theatre,[127]Mondavi Center Jackson Hall,[128]Herbst Theatre,[129] and ending with a three-week residency at the
New Victory Theater on Broadway.[130][131] As part of the tour The Villalobos Brothers played and sang Holiday music from their native Veracruz, and also shared the stage with
Dan Zanes, Palestinian Arabic-jazz buzuq player
Tareq Abboushi, drummer
Colin Brooks, English designer and director Julian Crouch,[132] Mexican guitarist and vocalist Sonia de los Santos,[126] accordionist/saxophonist John Foti,[133] renowned tap dancer
Derick K. Grant, bass player Saskia Sunshine Lane,[134] fiddler/trumpeter Elena Moon Park,[135] vocalist
Basya Schechter, and Palestinian percussionist/composer Zafer Tawil.[136][58]
The Shul Band: Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps
On 30 November 2004, Ernesto Villalobos gave a soloist performance at
The Town Hall Theater in
Manhattan. This performance was the world premiere of La Promesa del Guerrero a symphonic piece written and performed by Ernesto Villalobos featuring tenor Mauricio O'Reilly.[140] Ernesto was commissioned by conductor
Alondra de la Parra and her orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas.[141] This 20-minute composition, was based on a poem by Manelick de la Parra, and it narrates the nahua legend of the
Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl mountains outside
Mexico City. The concert marked the closing night of the 2004 Celebrate MexicoNOW! Festival[142] organized by Claudia Norman[143](30 November 2004)[144][145]
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abMarshall, Helen.
"USCIS Letter". Office of the President of the Borough of Queens. Archived from
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^Abaroa, Gabriel.
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the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
^Zedillo Ponce de León, Ernesto (26 July 2000).
"Comunicado No. 2326". Vocero de la Presidencia de México. Archived from
the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
^Estrada Rodríguez, Luis Alfonso.
"Constancia, Primer Lugar". Escuela Nacional de Música. Archived from
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