Los Cojolites

Los Cojolites was born in 1995 as part of a project dedicated to recover artistic expressions and cultural rights of indigenous people in the ancient town of Cosoleacaque, Veracruz, Mexico. They begin their recordings with El conejo (The Rabbit, 2001), included in the soundtrack of Frida, the Oscar-winning film music directed by Salma Hayek. In 2008 the band recorded their second album No tiene fin (No End) in San Francisco, produced by Greg Landau, where Lila Downs participates as a guest artist. Their third album Sembrando flores (Planting Flowers), also produced by Greg Landau and Héctor Pérez appeared in 2011. In the same year they collaborated in the Electro Jarocho production, as one of the bands directed by Héctor Pérez project (Sistema Bomb). Both albums have been nominated for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. In December 2014 they presented their fourth production directed by Greg Landau, Zapateando which brings traditional sones and is a recognition of the old revelers.

Los Cojolites have shared the stage with artists like Eugenia León, La Maldita Vecindad, Panteón Rococó, Lila Downs, Susana Baca, Zack de la Rocha, Ozomatli among many others. They have performed in Germany, Canada, France, Spain, Cuba, and has been the only group of Son Jarocho at the WOMADfestival in England. Within the United States, they showcased in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Seattle, Chicago, and New York; the group has collaborated with cultural institutions and universities in workshops about their music. Throughout these years have been part of the biggest festivals in their native country.

Los Cojolites and the contemporary Son Jarocho
Los Cojolites direct a cultural project in their hometown, Jáltipan, Veracruz (where they live), the Centro de Documentacion del Son Jarocho. Through research of texts, images, documents, videos, about the Son Jarocho and the story of his community, they teach and also offer workshops to preserve and develop regional instruments, compositions, zapateado, and versada (traditional tap dancing, lyrics and oral tradition).

The influence of Arabic and Flamenco music, mixed with the various afro rhythms and indian celebrations in Veracruz, gave identity in this mestizaje (mixture), to the Son Jarocho, a musical genre that identifies the region, for more than three hundred years.