Vallenato (Colombia)

Vallenato

This is a Colombian musical genre, specifically from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. It is interpreted tradicionally with these instruments: accordion, "guacharaca", and caja vallenata. The legends of this music include: Francisco el Hombre, Emiliano Zuleta, Rafael Escalona, and the biggest icon of this cultural folklore, the first "Rey Vallenato", Alejandro Durán.

"Alejo Durán"

Gilberto Alejandro Durán Díaz was borned the 9th of February of 1919 on El Paso, Magdalena. He was recognized as "el negro Alejo". He played the accordion, he was a songwriter, and a singer. He learned how to play the accordion when he was 26 years old, and he published his first work in 1950. He was the first winner of the "Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata", and became the first Vallenato King. His music expresses his feelings for women, his creations and interpretations were in their honor. He sings about women with great inspiration. Alejo Duran is a master and a legend of Vallenato. He is a great influence for the new era of this music. He was a poet that expressed his inner thoughts of how women are the cause of our daily living.