Colombian collective Cimarrón to bring colour to this year’s Cambridge Folk Festival
Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Colombian collective Cimarrón, winners of the 2020 Songlines Music Awards, are to appear at this year’s Cambridge Folk Festival, alongside Welsh harp virtuoso Catrin Finch.
Born in the cattle-rearing plains of the Orinoco River that runs through eastern Colombia and western Venezuela, ‘joropo’ music is rooted in a deep tradition defined by the mestizo mixed heritage of African, Spanish and indigenous cultures.
Cimarrón, a six-piece joropo ensemble led by Ana Veydó, make wild, untamed music that preserves the spirit of freedom found in one of the world’s most untouched regions.
Fast-paced and powerful, their high-energy shows combine singing, breathtaking stomp dancing and stunning instrumental virtuosity on strings and percussion.
Speaking to the Cambridge Independent over Zoom from the town of San Martin in the east of Colombia, three hours from the jungle, the very friendly Ana – the only woman in the group – looks great in a striking necklace and American-syle hat adorned with a flowery plant, giving it a more ‘Latin’ look.
Last year, she and the band released a new album titled La Recia. Critically praised in a number of countries, the album went to number one on the Transglobal World Music Chart and made the Financial Times’ top 10 Best Folk Music Albums.
“To be honest, I am very surprised,” says Ana of all this recognition, “because this music is very macho, made by men who created it and played it at the type of drunken parties that only men attended.
“That’s how the music was born, as the cowboys that made it were men. So for me it was a real challenge and I’m very proud of our success.”
As well as being featured in the Financial Times, The Times, Forbes, Billboard and Newsweek, Cimarrón – named after the wild horse of South America – have also been played on BBC Radio and last year made the cover of Songlines Magazine, a publication that shines a light on music from around the world.
They have performed in 40 countries, playing major events such as the Mawazine Festival in Morocco, the Malaysia Rainforest World Music Festival, Switzerland’s Paléo Festival, the Rajasthan International Folk Festival, the Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage Festival, the Førde International Folk Music Festival, and the famed Newport Folk Festival.
Is it fair to say, then, that Cimarrón are the world’s premier exponents of joropo music? “Yes, I think so,” replies Ana, who says that she likes to work with the handicraft makers of San Martin when it comes to creating her unique look, “we’re the only band from this region, which includes part of Venezuela as well as Colombia, to have an international following.”
The band will be appearing at the Cambridge Folk Festival on the Sunday (July 30), alongside renowned harpist Catrin Finch. Ana and co first met Finch back in 2007, and subsequently embarked on an exhilarating tour of the Welsh musician’s homeland.
“Our relationship with the UK began in 2007,” recalls Ana, noting that the “impeccable artist” Catrin Finch has been fundamental in their success over here.
“She has been important for us and has given us the opportunity to perform at this excellent festival that I think is one of the most important in the UK.”
Ana, who reveals she is also looking forward to watching Sunday headliner Angélique Kidjo perform, says the Cambridge Folk Festival crowd can expect to see from Cimarrón a great example of the joropo music of Colombia, presented in a big way with singing, dancing and more.
[Read more: Indie-folk duo take Flyte on Cambridge Folk Festival’s opening day]
See Cimarrón do their thing with Catrin Finch at the Cambridge Folk Festival on Sunday, July 30. For more on the festival, visit cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival.
