Villalobos Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Villalobos Brothers (born in Xalapa, Mexico) are a trio of virtuoso violinists, singer-songwriters, composers, arrangers, and multi-talented instrumentalists. They have performed at the Latin Grammy® Awards,Carnegie Hall
, the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations
, the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center
, the New York Mets
field at Shea Stadium
, and other historic venues.
They have accompanied and collaborated with many artists, including Morley
, Paloma San Basilio
, Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains
, Eddie Palmieri
, Graciela
, Dolly Parton
, León Gieco
, Leni Stern
, César Camargo Mariano
, Lila Downs
, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
, Pierre Boulez
, Alberto Vázquez, Johnny Ventura
, Dan Zanes
and Rafael Escalona
. Their first solo album, "Villa-Lobos", was released in 2009.
, Mexico
, an hour's drive from the port city of Veracruz
. They spent their childhood listening to their grandmother Cristina Vásquez play music for enjoyment after a day's work, for dancers at a country fandango, or for guests dining in the many coastal seafood restaurants. They took up the violin as small children and soon learned to sing and play other instruments, including the guitar, the piano and the thin-bodied guitars jarana
s. They eventually moved on to specialize in classical violin and composition, and developed their own style of playing, called "Fast-Chatting Violin" consisting in 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, a student of Henryk Szeryng
at the University of Veracruz. The three brothers also studied composition and counterpoint with Eugeniusz Sleziak Kandora, Roberto Lira López, and Ryszard Siwy Machalica.
, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru
.
, where he studied with Patinka Kopec and Nils Vigeland. In 2001 he performed at Master Classes led by Pinchas Zukerman
and Glenn Dicterow
and travelled to Israel
to study with Shlomo Mintz
.
The middle brother, Alberto Villalobos, left Mexico in 2002 and studied violin with Igor Oistrakh
at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels
for three years. He was later selected as a student by Pierre Boulez
at the Lucerne
Festival Academy in Switzerland. In 2003 he performed at Master Classes led by Zakhar Bron
.
In 2003 the youngest brother, Luis Villalobos, moved to Germany, where he studied violin with Nicolas Chumachenco
at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg
. He was also accepted at the prestigious Mozarteum University of Salzburg in Austria.
(a musical style from their native Veracruz, Mexico
. Jarocho describes the people and culture of the southern coastal plain of Veracruz, who for more than two centuries have shaped a distinctive regional music), Jazz, Rock and Blues.
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.
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”
In addition, The Villalobos Brothers have created their own signature style of violin playing called “Fast-Chatting Violin” by incorporating elements of classical music, jazz and indigenous Son Jarocho
and Son Huasteco
, a genre extensively researched and embraced by Alberto Villalobos. 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.
Following a November 12th, 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…"
In 2009, their music was described as “High Octane Mexican Fiddling” by The New Victory Theater.
In 2007, they received the Tepeyac Association of New York's "Leaders of the Future Excellence Award" and were congratulated by United States Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Sabini
, Robert Menendez
, Congressman Joseph Crowley
, Governor Eliot Spitzer
, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
and other American politicians.
. The concert was also a sold-out benefit for The Shul of New York and included the following musicians:
Carlos Pereira piano and guitar, Matt Snyder clarinet, Kathleen Tagg piano, Dave Hertzberg bass, Ramón Ponce Jr. vihuela and guitarrón, Ilmar Gavilán violin, Humberto Flores guitar, An Vanhauwaert violin, Morley Kamen voice, Adam Feder guitar, Cristina Vásquez voice, Yamani Fuentes flute, Seth Ginsberg mandolin, Daniel Sadownick percussion.
, this time leading the music program for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company's 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. 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 guitar, Cristina Vásquez voice, Nilko Andreas Guarin guitar, Mauricio O'Reilly voice, Martin Vejarano percussion, Selene Muñoz voice, Adam Feder voice, Roman García voice, Jocelyn Medina voice, Veronica Valerio harp and voice, Todd Carter voice, Yamani Fuentes flute, Lilly Lavner voice, Ramón Ponce Sr. trumpet Ramón Ponce Jr. vihuela, Miguel Ponce, guitarrón.
at the Festival of Nations at Dollywood
, at Queens Theatre in the Park, Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Sarah Lawrence College
, Colgate University
, Museo del Barrio, Lehman Brothers Headquarters
, Elmira College
and Carnegie Hall
.
. They arranged and performed the music of Grammy® winners: Graciela
, Paloma San Basilio
, León Gieco
, César Camargo Mariano
, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
, Alberto Vázquez, Johnny Ventura
and Rafael Escalona
.
, G.E. Smith, Little Toby Walker, Larry Campbell
, Marc Anthony Thompson, David Spelman
, Sonia de los Santos and Barry Mitterhoff
in a historic concert at Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall
in New York City
.
Later that year, they also toured the West Coast of the U.S.A. with him as part of the show "Holiday House Party With Dan Zanes and Friends" making stops at the Moore Theater, Mondavi Center Jackson Hall
, Herbst Theatre
, and ending with a three-week residency at the New Victory Theater on Broadway. 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, Mexican guitarist and vocalist Sonia de los Santos, accordionist/saxophonist John Foti, renowned tap dancer Derick K. Grant
, bass player Saskia Sunshine Lane, fiddler/trumpeter Elena Moon Park, vocalist Basya Schechter, and Palestinian percussionist/composer Zafer Tawil.
band led by Adam Feder. In 2005 Ernesto Villalobos and Adam Feder led a candlelit vigil at the children's barracks inside the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum as part of Bernie Glassman's 2005 Bearing Witness Zen Peacemakers retreat in Oswuecim, Poland
.
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. Ernesto was commissioned by conductor Alondra de la Parra
and her orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. 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 organized by Claudia Norman (November 30th, 2004)
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center
Rainbow Room
The Rainbow Room was an upscale restaurant and nightclub on the 65th floor of the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, Midtown Manhattan, New York City.-Cuisine:...
, the New York Mets
METS
The Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard is a metadata standard for encoding descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata regarding objects within a digital library, expressed using the XML schema language of the World Wide Web Consortium...
field at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, and other historic venues.
They have accompanied and collaborated with many artists, including Morley
Morley
- Places :United Kingdom* Morley, County Durham, England* Morley, Derbyshire, England* Morley, West Yorkshire, England* Morley Saint Botolph, Norfolk, England* Morley Saint Peter, Norfolk, EnglandUnited States* Morley, Iowa* Morley, Michigan...
, Paloma San Basilio
Paloma San Basilio
Paloma San Basilio is a Spanish singer. Although she was born in Madrid, at the age of 6 months the family moved to Sevilla , where she was raised till the age of 8...
, Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains
Paddy Moloney
Paddy Moloney is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums.He was born in Donnycarney in Dublin. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six and at the age of eight he started to learn the Uilleann pipes. He also plays button...
, Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri , is a Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican pianist, bandleader and musician, best known for combining jazz piano and instrumental solos with Latin rhythms.-Early years:...
, Graciela
Graciela
Graciela was a Cuban-American singer of Latin Jazz, known as The First Lady of Latin Jazz.-Biography:Graciela Pérez-Gutiérrez was born in Havana, Cuba and raised in the Afro-Cuban Jesús María neighborhood. A pioneer in music, as a black Cuban woman, in a so-called man's world, she opened doors for...
, Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
, León Gieco
León Gieco
Raúl Alberto Antonio Gieco, better known as León Gieco is a pop-folk music composer and interpreter. He is known for mixing popular folkloric genres with Argentine rock, and for lyrics with social and political connotations...
, Leni Stern
Leni Stern
Leni Stern is an electric guitarist, and singer. She was interested in music from an early age, beginning piano studies at the age of six and taking on the guitar age of eleven...
, César Camargo Mariano
Cesar Camargo Mariano
Cesar Camargo Mariano is a Brazilian pianist, arranger, composer and music producer. He is one of the most renowned instrumental artists to come out of his home country.-Biography:...
, Lila Downs
Lila Downs
Lila Downs is a Mexican singer-songwriter. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into Mexican traditional and popular music...
, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz are an American musical duo consisting of Ricardo "Richie" Ray and Roberto "Bobby" Cruz. The duo was formed in 1963 and rose to fame in the mid 1960s. They are one of the most famous interpreters of 'salsa brava' music....
, Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
, Alberto Vázquez, Johnny Ventura
Johnny Ventura
Juan e Dios Ventura Soriano, better known as Johnny Ventura is a singer and band leader of merengue.- Early History :...
, Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes was a member of the popular 1980s band The Del Fuegos and is currently the front man of the Grammy-winning group Dan Zanes and Friends.-History:...
and Rafael Escalona
Rafael Escalona
Rafael Calixto Escalona Martinez was a Colombian composer and troubadour. He was known for being one of the most prominent vallenato music composers and troubadours of the genre and for being the co-founder of the Vallenato Legend Festival, along with Consuelo Araújo and Alfonso López Michelsen.He...
. Their first solo album, "Villa-Lobos", was released in 2009.
Early Years And Education
Early Years
The Villalobos Brothers were born and raised in XalapaXalapa
Xalapa-Enríquez, commonly Xalapa or Jalapa, is the capital city of the Mexican state of Veracruz and the name of the surrounding municipality. In the year 2005 census the city reported a population of 387,879 and the municipality of which it serves as municipal seat reported a population of...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, an hour's drive from the port city of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. They spent their childhood listening to their grandmother Cristina Vásquez play music for enjoyment after a day's work, for dancers at a country fandango, or for guests dining in the many coastal seafood restaurants. They took up the violin as small children and soon learned to sing and play other instruments, including the guitar, the piano and the thin-bodied guitars jarana
Jarana
The jarana jarocha is a guitar-shaped fretted stringed instrument, from the southern region of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Typically strung with 8 strings in 5 courses, usually arranged in two single outer strings with three courses between. The strings are usually nylon, although they were gut...
s. They eventually moved on to specialize in classical violin and composition, and developed their own style of playing, called "Fast-Chatting Violin" consisting in 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, a student of Henryk Szeryng
Henryk Szeryng
Henryk Szeryng was a Polish violinist.-Early years:He was born in Żelazowa Wola, Poland on 22 September 1918 into a wealthy family....
at the University of Veracruz. The three brothers also studied composition and counterpoint with Eugeniusz Sleziak Kandora, Roberto Lira López, and Ryszard Siwy Machalica.
Child prodigies
The Villalobos Brothers were considered child prodigies and had early soloist debuts with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra playing the Sibelius, Brahms, and Saint Saëns violin concertos. They also had solo appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra of CubaNational Symphony Orchestra of Cuba
National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba is Cuba's National Symphony Orchestra founded in October 1959.On November 11, 1960, the national symphony orchestra realized its first public performance with a concert in the Teatro Auditórium de La Habana of that time, now the Teatro Amadeo Roldán...
, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru
National Symphony Orchestra (Peru)
The National Symphony Orchestra is the state symphony orchestra of Peru; it is located in Lima. It is one of the components of the Peruvian Instituto Nacional de Cultura. As of 2007, the orchestra had ninety members...
.
Advanced Musical Studies
In 2000, the U.S. Department of State awarded the eldest brother, Ernesto Villalobos, a Fulbright Grant to carry out graduate studies at the Manhattan School of MusicManhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
, where he studied with Patinka Kopec and Nils Vigeland. In 2001 he performed at Master Classes led by Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman is a world-renowned violinist, violist, and conductor. He is considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his ongoing 45-year career has seen him perform with the world's best-known orchestras and record over 100 works...
and Glenn Dicterow
Glenn Dicterow
Glenn Dicterow , is an American violinist and is currently concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.Mr. Dicterow's musical gifts became apparent when, at age 11, he made his solo debut with the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra...
and travelled to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
to study with Shlomo Mintz
Shlomo Mintz
Shlomo Mintz is an Israeli violin virtuoso, violist and conductor. He regularly appears with orchestras and conductors on the international scene and is heard in recitals and chamber music concerts around the world.- Awards :...
.
The middle brother, Alberto Villalobos, left Mexico in 2002 and studied violin with Igor Oistrakh
Igor Oistrakh
Igor Oistrakh is a Russian violinist.He was born in Odessa, Ukraine and is the son of violinist David Oistrakh. He attended the Central Music School in Moscow and made his concert debut in 1948. From 1949 to 1955 he studied at the Moscow Conservatory, winning first prizes and international...
at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels
Royal Conservatory of Brussels
The Royal Conservatory of Brussels is a drama and music college in Brussels, Belgium. An academy for acting and the arts, it has been attended by many of the top actors and actresses in Belgium such as Josse De Pauw, Luk van Mello and Luk De Konink....
for three years. He was later selected as a student by Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
at the Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
Festival Academy in Switzerland. In 2003 he performed at Master Classes led by Zakhar Bron
Zakhar Bron
Zakhar Bron is a Russian violinist of jewish descent and violin pedagogue. He is considered one of the best.His students have included Vadim Repin, Gwendolyn Masin, Daniel Hope, Maxim Vengerov, Denis Goldfeld, Daishin Kashimoto, Tamaki Kawakubo, Mayuko Kamio, Mayu Kishima, Sayaka Shoji and Nikolai...
.
In 2003 the youngest brother, Luis Villalobos, moved to Germany, where he studied violin with Nicolas Chumachenco
Nicolas Chumachenco
Nicolas Chumachenco , is a Polish-born violin soloist, professor and director of the Queen Sofía Chamber Orchestra.-Biography:Born in Poland of Russian parents, Chumachenco grew and started his musical training in Argentine...
at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg
Hochschule für Musik Freiburg
The Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Freiburg is a public music academy subsidized by the State of Baden-Württemberg for academic research and artistic and pedagogical training in music.-History:The Hochschule was initially founded as a municipal institution in 1946 under the direction of Gustav...
. He was also accepted at the prestigious Mozarteum University of Salzburg in Austria.
Style and influences
Although the three Villalobos Brothers are classically trained violin virtuosos, their music draws on many genres, including Son JarochoSon Jarocho
Son Jarocho is a traditional musical style of Veracruz, a Mexican state along the Gulf of Mexico. It evolved over the last two and a half centuries along the coastal portions of southern Tamaulipas state and Veracruz state, hence the term jarocho, a colloquial term for people or things from the...
(a musical style from their native Veracruz, Mexico
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. Jarocho describes the people and culture of the southern coastal plain of Veracruz, who for more than two centuries have shaped a distinctive regional music), Jazz, Rock and Blues.
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.
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”
In addition, The Villalobos Brothers have created their own signature style of violin playing called “Fast-Chatting Violin” by incorporating elements of classical music, jazz and indigenous Son Jarocho
Son Jarocho
Son Jarocho is a traditional musical style of Veracruz, a Mexican state along the Gulf of Mexico. It evolved over the last two and a half centuries along the coastal portions of southern Tamaulipas state and Veracruz state, hence the term jarocho, a colloquial term for people or things from the...
and Son Huasteco
Son Huasteco
Son Huasteco is one of 8 Mexican son styles and is a traditional Mexican musical style originating in the 6 state area of Northeastern Mexico called La Huasteca. It dates back to the end of the 19th century and is influenced by Spanish and indigenous cultures...
, a genre extensively researched and embraced by Alberto Villalobos. In 2009 he spent a year in the Huasteca region of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
recording and transcribing Sones Huastecos that have been verbally passed down for centuries from generation to generation and were in danger of being lost.
Critical Reception
The Villalobos Brothers have been acclaimed as violin virtuosos and one of the leading ensembles of world music. Critical comments on The Villalobos Brothers include:Following a November 12th, 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…"
In 2009, their music was described as “High Octane Mexican Fiddling” by The New Victory Theater.
In 2007, they received the Tepeyac Association of New York's "Leaders of the Future Excellence Award" and were congratulated by United States Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Sabini
John Sabini
John D. Sabini is the Chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, having served in this capacity since August 2008 when he was confirmed by the New York State Senate. Sabini had previously been a member of the New York State Senate, a Democrat first elected in 2002. He represented...
, Robert Menendez
Robert Menendez
Robert "Bob" Menendez is the junior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. In January 2006, he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jon Corzine, who resigned upon being elected Governor of New Jersey. Menendez was elected to his own full...
, Congressman Joseph Crowley
Joseph Crowley
Joseph Crowley is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. He is the Chairman of the New Democrat Coalition and the Queens County Democratic Party. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, Governor Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development...
and other American politicians.
Awards
- 2011 Bronze Medal for Best Documentary in the category of Social Issues at the New York Festivals International Radio Competition
- 2007 Leaders of the Future Award presented by the Tepeyac Association of New York
- 2003 Beca para Ejecutantes Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes FONCA (National Fund for Culture and Arts of Mexico)
- 2000 Fulbright Grant awarded to Ernesto Villalobos by the U.S. Department of State
- 1999 National Medal in Music awarded by the President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León
- 1997 Gold Medal at the Fifth National Violin Competition
- 1995 TELMEXTelmexTelmex is a telecommunications company headquartered in Mexico City that provides telecommunication products and services in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and other countries in Latin America. In addition to traditional fixed-line telephone service, Telmex also offers Internet access, data,...
Foundation Grant sponsored by business magnate and philanthropist Carlos Slim HelúCarlos Slim HelúCarlos Slim Helú is a Mexican business magnate and philanthropist who as of 2011 is the richest person in the world, for the second year in a row...
Joan and Sanford I. Weill Recital Hall
On October 23, 2005 The Villalobos Brothers reunited in New York City for their debut recital at Carnegie HallCarnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
. The concert was also a sold-out benefit for The Shul of New York and included the following musicians:
Carlos Pereira piano and guitar, Matt Snyder clarinet, Kathleen Tagg piano, Dave Hertzberg bass, Ramón Ponce Jr. vihuela and guitarrón, Ilmar Gavilán violin, Humberto Flores guitar, An Vanhauwaert violin, Morley Kamen voice, Adam Feder guitar, Cristina Vásquez voice, Yamani Fuentes flute, Seth Ginsberg mandolin, Daniel Sadownick percussion.
Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage
On December 17, 2006 The Villalobos Brothers were invited back to Carnegie HallCarnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, this time leading the music program for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company's production at the Isaac Stern Auditorium
Isaac Stern
Isaac Stern was a Ukrainian-born violinist. He was renowned for his recordings and for discovering new musical talent.-Biography:Isaac Stern was born into a Jewish family in Kremenets, Ukraine. He was fourteen months old when his family moved to San Francisco...
involving over a hundred dancers and musicians and with the special participation of the Mariachi Academy of New York. 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 guitar, Cristina Vásquez voice, Nilko Andreas Guarin guitar, Mauricio O'Reilly voice, Martin Vejarano percussion, Selene Muñoz voice, Adam Feder voice, Roman García voice, Jocelyn Medina voice, Veronica Valerio harp and voice, Todd Carter voice, Yamani Fuentes flute, Lilly Lavner voice, Ramón Ponce Sr. trumpet Ramón Ponce Jr. vihuela, Miguel Ponce, guitarrón.
Collaboration with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
From 2006 to 2009 Ernesto Villalobos served as Musical Director of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. During these years, The Villalobos Brothers toured extensively with the company, performing with Dolly PartonDolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
at the Festival of Nations at Dollywood
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
, at Queens Theatre in the Park, Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
, Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
, Museo del Barrio, Lehman Brothers Headquarters
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
, Elmira College
Elmira College
Elmira College is a coeducational private liberal arts college located in Elmira, in New York State's Southern Tier region.The college is noted as the oldest college still in existence which granted degrees to women that were the equivalent of those given to men...
and Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
.
Latin Grammy ® Appearance
The Villalobos Brothers appeared at The 7th Annual Latin Grammy® AwardsLatin Grammy Awards of 2006
The 7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards were held for the first time in New York City, NY. The awards show was held at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, November 2, 2006. Shakira was the big winner winning Album of the Year, one of four awards that she won...
. They arranged and performed the music of Grammy® winners: Graciela
Graciela
Graciela was a Cuban-American singer of Latin Jazz, known as The First Lady of Latin Jazz.-Biography:Graciela Pérez-Gutiérrez was born in Havana, Cuba and raised in the Afro-Cuban Jesús María neighborhood. A pioneer in music, as a black Cuban woman, in a so-called man's world, she opened doors for...
, Paloma San Basilio
Paloma San Basilio
Paloma San Basilio is a Spanish singer. Although she was born in Madrid, at the age of 6 months the family moved to Sevilla , where she was raised till the age of 8...
, León Gieco
León Gieco
Raúl Alberto Antonio Gieco, better known as León Gieco is a pop-folk music composer and interpreter. He is known for mixing popular folkloric genres with Argentine rock, and for lyrics with social and political connotations...
, César Camargo Mariano
Cesar Camargo Mariano
Cesar Camargo Mariano is a Brazilian pianist, arranger, composer and music producer. He is one of the most renowned instrumental artists to come out of his home country.-Biography:...
, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz are an American musical duo consisting of Ricardo "Richie" Ray and Roberto "Bobby" Cruz. The duo was formed in 1963 and rose to fame in the mid 1960s. They are one of the most famous interpreters of 'salsa brava' music....
, Alberto Vázquez, Johnny Ventura
Johnny Ventura
Juan e Dios Ventura Soriano, better known as Johnny Ventura is a singer and band leader of merengue.- Early History :...
and Rafael Escalona
Rafael Escalona
Rafael Calixto Escalona Martinez was a Colombian composer and troubadour. He was known for being one of the most prominent vallenato music composers and troubadours of the genre and for being the co-founder of the Vallenato Legend Festival, along with Consuelo Araújo and Alfonso López Michelsen.He...
.
Solo
- The Villalobos Brothers, Villa-Lobos, 2009 (self-titled album) featuring: David Glukh, trumpet, Oscar Rosales, trumpet, Dave Hertzberg, bass, Samuel Zabaleta, drums.
Collaborations
- Hope Harris, Cousins Jamboree, 2010 (appear on), Holcomb Rock Road
- The Chieftains featuring Ry Cooder, San Patricio, 2010 (appear with Lila DownsLila DownsLila Downs is a Mexican singer-songwriter. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into Mexican traditional and popular music...
), Hear Music - In Memoriam: Allen Klein, The Best...Is Yet To Come, 2009 (arrangements, appear on), ABKCO Records
- Dan Zanes, Nueva York, 2008 (appear on), Festival Five Records
- The Shul Band, Instrumental, 2007 (appear on), Boom-Boom Studios
- Morley, Days Like These, 2006 (appear on), Universal Music-France
- Leni Stern, Love Comes Quietly, 2006 (collaboration with Adam Rudolph), Leni Stern Recordings
- Rick Martinez Soundtrack: Viva la Vida, 2006 (appear on), Bay Street
- Vivian Farmery, Places, 2006 (appear on), Just Tell Advocacy
- The Looking Tin Can Head, 2005 (appear on), Astraea Records
- Rene Hubbard Chicavasco, 2005 (appear on), Rana Santacruz
- Lilly Lavner, Walking Away, 2004 (appear on), K-Studios
- The Shul Band, Alive at the Shul of New York, 2004 (appear on), K-Studios
- Eddie Palmieri, Ritmo Caliente, 2003 (appear on), Concord Records
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, Gender Equality And 15 Year-Olds, 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, featuring Caitlin Fitzgerald, Original soundtrack composed by Alberto Villalobos, 2009 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), 12 Weeks 12 Films
Instrumentalists
- Richard Temtchine, How to Seduce Difficult Women, Original soundtrack by Pedro da SilvaPedro da SilvaFor the Brazilian decathlete with the same name see Pedro da Silva Pedro da Silva was the first post courier in New France, in what was to become part of Canada...
, 2009 (appear on), Quadrant Entertainment - Javier Chapa, Harvest of Redemption, Original soundtrack by Richard MartinezRichard MartinezRichard C. Martinez is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 5th District since 2001.-External links:* official NM Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Richard Martinez** campaign contributions...
2007 (appear on), Chapa-Perez Entertainment - Juan Fischer Buscando a MiguelBuscando a MiguelBuscando a Miguel is a 2007 Colombian drama film written and directed by Juan Fisher. Based on a true story, looking for Miguel is Fisher’s second work as director. The fim is a stark comedy-drama about identity and the different facets of Colombian society.-Plot :Miguel is a young and very...
, Original soundtrack by Sebastián Cruz, 2007 (appear on), Hidden Eye Productions - John J. Valadez and Cristina Ibarra, The Last Conquistador, Original soundtrack by Richard MartinezRichard MartinezRichard C. Martinez is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 5th District since 2001.-External links:* official NM Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Richard Martinez** campaign contributions...
, 2007 (appear on), PBS Point of View
Plays
- "Zona Rosa" a play by Carlos Morton directed by Michael Barakiva. Music performed by The Villalobos Brothers at Queens Theatre in the Park May 14, 2011
- "Desert FathersDesert FathersThe Desert Fathers were hermits, ascetics, monks, and nuns who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great, who moved to the desert in 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism...
" a play by Paavo Tom Tammi directed by Jenny Sullivan. Original music by Jerry Korman and The Villalobos Brothers. - "The Roses On The Rocks" a play by Ellen Boscov, directed by Richard Caliban. Original music by Rana Santacruz, performed by Alberto Villalobos
- "Viva La Vida" a play by Diane ShafferThe SteinettesThe Steinettes were an a cappella doo-wop street quartet from Greenwich Village, New York, formed in 1978. The group appeared in HealtH and Popeye, two films from director Robert Altman that saw release in the early 1980s.-Career:...
directed by Susana Tubert. Original music by Rick Martinez Soundtrack: Viva la Vida, 2006 (appear on), Bay Street
National Dance Institute
In June of 2008 The Villalobos Brothers were featured as soloists at the National Dance Intitute's 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".Collaboration with Dan Zanes
On January 17th, 2008 The Villalobos Brothers accompanied Grammy®-winner Dan Zanes as part of Blue Country Heart: The Music of Hank Williamswith Jorma KaukonenJorma Kaukonen
Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. is an American blues, folk, and rock guitarist, best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.-Biography:...
, G.E. Smith, Little Toby Walker, Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell
Larry W. Campbell was the 37th Mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is currently a member of the Canadian Senate. Starting in 1969 Campbell worked for the RCMP in Vancouver and then in 1973 as a member of the Drug Squad...
, Marc Anthony Thompson, David Spelman
David Spelman
David Spelman is a New York-based music producer and curator working in recordings, films and live events- Early life :...
, Sonia de los Santos and Barry Mitterhoff
Barry Mitterhoff
Barry Mitterhoff is a musician who plays mandolin. He is a former member of Skyline and Silk City, and current member of Hot Tuna.Mitterhoff is also known for contributing to movie soundtracks, including You've Got Mail and O Brother, Where Art Thou?. His work on the latter film, unfortunately,...
in a historic concert at Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall
Merkin Concert Hall
Merkin Concert Hall is a 449-seat concert hall in Manhattan, New York City. The hall, named in honor of Hermann and Ursula Merkin, is part of the Kaufman Center, a complex that includes the Lucy Moses School, a community arts school, and the Special Music School , a New York City public school for...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Later that year, they also toured the West Coast of the U.S.A. with him as part of the show "Holiday House Party With Dan Zanes and Friends" making stops at the Moore Theater, Mondavi Center Jackson Hall
Mondavi Center
The Mondavi Center, or Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, is a performing arts venue located on the UC Davis campus in Davis, California...
, Herbst Theatre
Herbst Theatre
The Herbst Theatre is an auditorium in the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in Civic Center in San Francisco, United States. The 928-seat hall hosts programs as diverse as City Arts & Lectures, SF Jazz, and San Francisco Performances....
, and ending with a three-week residency at the New Victory Theater on Broadway. 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
Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes was a member of the popular 1980s band The Del Fuegos and is currently the front man of the Grammy-winning group Dan Zanes and Friends.-History:...
, Palestinian Arabic-jazz buzuq player Tareq Abboushi, drummer Colin Brooks
Colin Brooks (musician)
Colin Brooks is a singer-songwriter, blues-rock guitarist and dobro player currently living in Austin, Texas. He is member of the Americana group the Band of Heathens....
, English designer and director Julian Crouch, Mexican guitarist and vocalist Sonia de los Santos, accordionist/saxophonist John Foti, renowned tap dancer Derick K. Grant
Derick K. Grant
Born May 19 1973 in Boston Massachusetts, Derick K. Grant is an African-American tap dancer and choreographer. He came to prominence in 1996, as an original company member and Dance Captain in the George C. Wolfe-produced musical Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk at both The Joseph Papp Public...
, bass player Saskia Sunshine Lane, fiddler/trumpeter Elena Moon Park, vocalist Basya Schechter, and Palestinian percussionist/composer Zafer Tawil.
The Shul Band: Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps
The Villalobos Brothers have been frequent collaborators of The Shul Band, a klezmerKlezmer
Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazic Jews of Eastern Europe. Played by professional musicians called klezmorim, the genre originally consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations...
band led by Adam Feder. In 2005 Ernesto Villalobos and Adam Feder led a candlelit vigil at the children's barracks inside the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum as part of Bernie Glassman's 2005 Bearing Witness Zen Peacemakers retreat in Oswuecim, Poland
Oswiecim
Oświęcim is a town in the Lesser Poland province of southern Poland, situated west of Kraków, near the confluence of the rivers Vistula and Soła.- History :...
.
Town Hall Theater
On November 30th, 2004 Ernesto Villalobos gave a soloist performance at the The Town Hall TheaterThe Town Hall
The Town Hall is a performance space, located at 123 West 43rd Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, in New York City. It seats approximately 1,500 people.-History:...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. 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. Ernesto was commissioned by conductor Alondra de la Parra
Alondra de la Parra
Alondra de la Parra is a Mexican American conductor. She is also the founder and artistic director of the New York-based Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, an orchestra that promotes young soloists and composers from the Americas....
and her orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. 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
Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl
"Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl" refers to a number of mythical and folkloric explanations of the origins of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl which overlook the Valley of Mexico...
mountains outside Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. The concert marked the closing night of the 2004 Celebrate MexicoNOW! Festival organized by Claudia Norman (November 30th, 2004)
External links
- The Villalobos Brothers Official Website
- Sitio Oficial de los Hermanos Villalobos
- The Villalobos Brothers on iTunes
- The Villalobos Brothers on BandCamp
- The Villalobos Brothers on CD Baby
- The Villalobos Brothers' Official Facebook Website
- The Villalobos Brothers' Official Twitter Website
- The Villalobos Brothers' Official MySpace Website
- The Villalobos Brothers on Sonicbids