Quetzal
About this Artist
QUETZAL is a relentlessly innovative Grammy award-winning ensemble that narrates the social, cultural and political stories of humanity. Describing the band's influences, Dr. Alex Chavez states, “You hear students of Chicano rock, rhythm and blues, JB funk, Cuban batá, punk, and Motown soul. You hear a band that has cut its teeth organizing, that has worked to fight forms of oppression in the communities they are connected to. And in pursuit of forging these creative and political bridges, you hear artists who are at the epicenter of the transnational world of Son Jarocho.” Quetzal’s live shows are filled with moments of tenderness, fervor and vivid storytelling that transport the audience into a world of affirmation and belonging. For 30 years they have graced stages across the US, Canada, Asia and Mexico. Recognized by notable institutions such as the Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center, the traveling exhibit “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music” sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute, featured Quetzal as leaders and innovators of Chicano music. This feat coupled with their Grammy Award winning album on Smithsonian Folkways label “Imaginaries” (2013) marks the importance of their past and ongoing work.
Quetzal emerges out of a contentious moment in Los Angeles history. The 1992 Los Angeles uprising along with social movement efforts against Proposition 187 campaign (that denied medical and public services to undocumented immigrants and public education to undocumented children) were prominent catalysts. Most notably the moral philosophy of the Mayan Zapatista insurrection in Mexico spurred a hope and powerful synergy across the city as various communities utilized expressive cultures and public art as platforms from which to voice their resistance. Today the proactive strategy of Quetzal and other Artivistas is to be regenerative and resourceful in the face of adversity. In addition to performing, members of Quetzal participate in a much larger web of musical, cultural, and political engagement throughout the state and have been instrumental in catalyzing the transnational dialogue between Chican@s/Latin@ communities in the U.S and Jarocho communities in Veracruz, Mexico. Remaining active within the community, various members of the band (Flores, Enomoto, Perez, Lopez, Greer) have been implementing the Collective Songwriting method and traditional music pedagogy in correctional facilities, schools, prisons, detention centers and college classrooms throughout California, Arizona and Washington. As an educator Gonzalez has won numerous academic awards and recently was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. Flores is the Director of Cultural Vitality for the Community Power Collective and Program Manager for the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) resourcing local traditional cultural practices in the fight against displacement in East Los Angeles. In these ways their performance background, music pedagogy and transnational music movement experience is embedded in their holistic approach to music. Inspired by the Son Jarocho music genre, their latest recording titled “Puentes Sonoros” (Sonic Bridges) was released in 2022 on Smithsonian Folkways. For members of Quetzal music is a resource that lives at the essence of community cultural vitality and transformation. As an enduring and prominent force channeling the East L.A. soundscape, Quetzal continues to model how music, culture, and sociopolitical ideology come together on and off the stage.
Band Members:
Dr. Martha Gonzalez - Lead Vocals, Percussion
Tylana Enomoto - Violin, Vocals
Sandino González-Flores - Keyboard, Flute, Requinto Jarocho, Vocals
Quetzal Flores - Jarana, Guitars, Bajosexto, Requinto Doble
Juan Perez - Double Bass, Bass Guitar
Mizan Willis – Percussion
Evan Greer - Drums, Percussion