Children of Vallenato Will Perform in Cuba

Under the baton of Andres (el Turco) Gil Torres the Colombian group Children of Vallenato will celebrate in Havana the 200th anniversary of Colombia's independence with a concert on July 20 in the historic center of Havana.

The group will perform in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, playing 15 songs, which include promenade, son, salsa, puya, pasebol and the reborn vallenato rhythm.

Founded in 1998 by Torres, the accordionist and a student of Colombian music, the group features a rhythm that has recently become more popular, and that carries the identity of Colombian people and their spiritual legacy.

Vallenato arrived in Cuba in the late 1960s, when author Gabriel Garcia Marquez mentioned it in his book One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Marquez honored a rhythm that accompanied him in his bohemian youth in Aracataca and Cartagena of the Indies, in the Colombian Caribbean Coast, and continues accompanying him today.

Recently, Vallenato came to Cuba again in the voice of Carlos Vives and the memorable song, "La Gota Fría, composed by the immortal Emiliano Zulueta.

The Childern of Vallenato made their international debut at the Washington National Symphony Hall with a success which would lead it to travel across many cultural places of America, Europe and Asia.

The Children of Vallenato was created by the Vallenato Legend Festival Fundation, to promote future artist for this musical genre. The group has performed throughout the world, in many countries, including a personal presentation for former US president Bill Clinton at the White House.