About

“Since 2007, Jarana Beat has aimed to share the unknown sounds of Mexico, present a new interpretation that melds the traditional with the contemporary, roots, and how these bear fruit within a collective of artists in New York.”

Mexican roots outfit Jarana Beat fuses elements of Mexico’s African and Amerindian traditions with other Latin American rhythms in its present-day take on folkloric music.

The Brooklyn eleven-piece members Juan Lucero, Claudia Valentina, Hugo Moreno, George Sáenz, Andrés Lemons, Keli Rosa Cabunoc, Brooke Lyssy, Daniel Herrera, Jonathan Cornejo and musical director Sinuhé Padilla Isunza – formed in Argentina as part of NYU’s 2007 Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics Encuentro.

With contagious charm and good vibes, this band is capable of getting any audience on its feet! Musical director Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza has mined the musical traditions of his native Mexico and other Latin American countries in an ongoing search for a distinct style with roots, resulting in the creation of this musical amalgam.

The percussive footwork of dancers dressed in traditional costumes, the rhythms of world music blending with the regional sounds of son jarocho from the Gulf Coast, son guerrerense from the Southern Pacific Coast, son huasteco from the Central & North-Eastern region, mexika from the Central, and norteña from the North, all converge into the point of departure for his musical creativity, opening an environment for expressing the unique music of the band members’ homelands.

Teaching and performing in venues such as Berklee College of Music, The Bowery Ballroom, Symphony Space, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, an interview on NPR’s Tell Me More, and an official showcase at SXSW 2012 in Austin, Jarana Beat weaves a truly colorful journey through the Afro-Amerindian culture of Mexico.

“Mexico-via-Brooklyn combo Jarana Beat weaves intricate rhythms and delicate plucks with rich, yearning vocals to gorgeous and surprisingly jolly effect. The 14-strong outfit includes dancers, who use their stomps and taps as percussion, and you’ll hear Native American, Gypsy and Afro-Mexican motifs in their music. Great stuff.” – Critic’s Pick, Time Out New York

Currently the band is promoting its newest album “¡Echapalante!”, now available on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon MP3.

Aside from performances, Jarana Beat is involved in additional projects, including educational programs and cultural outreach.  For more information, Projects page.

If you are interested in downloading the band’s technical rider/stage plot, click here.