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Every year on the days surrounding May 3, the feast of the Santa Cruz (Holy
Cross), the village of El Recodo (pop. about 800) organizes a few days of
fiesta to honor the symbol it has adopted as its religious patron. A few
carnival rides, some stands along the street selling tacos de carne asada,
perhaps a rodeo and a dance, these make up the usual events of the celebration.
But this year was different. For the first time ever, the Banda El Recodo
came home to its namesake, the birthplace of its founder, to play a concert.
And what's more, they did it as a benefit, donating all the proceeds of
the gate to the town. For those who don't know it, "banda tambora" music
grew out of turn-of-the-century efforts by German immigrants to encourage
local youngsters to play the oompah tunes of the old country. Over time
the original music took on a decidedly Latin flavor and developed into a
style that is unique to this region. The Banda El Recodo, founded some 40
years ago by Don Cruz Lizarraga, became the biggest and best-known of the
bandas. From its headquarters in Mazatlán, this banda toured the Republic
of México and later, the world. The popularity of the banda style of music
as we know it today spread around México, thanks to recordings that are
played widely on Mexican radio stations and personal appearances by the
Banda El Recodo in concerts and on television. Other groups have taken up
the style, but the |
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mother
of all the bandas is the Banda El Recodo. The villagers of El Recodo, which
lies about an hour's drive from central Mazatlán on the north side of the
Rio Presidio, have long complained that the famous banda which bears their
name never returned to play on its native soil. They especially yearned
for the banda to play during their Santa Cruz fiesta days. Don Cruz Lizarraga
died four years ago, and his sons took over direction of the banda as well
as taking active part as musicians. No doubt during Don Cruz's lifetime,
the banda ran into scheduling problems on playing a concert in the village
on the fiesta dates, but his sons made it up to El Recodo by agreeing to
appear there this year. Don Cruz certainly was there in spirit, for a gigantic
portrait of him looked down on the musicians from the rear of the bandstand.
Hundreds upon hundreds of admirers and fans paid 80 pesos a piece for tickets
to the concert, and many more just hung out on the street since the music
could be heard all over the little town. Municipal Mayor Alejandro Higuera
and the entire city council showed up, as did many proud sons of El Recodo
who have moved on to surrounding towns and cities, including Mazatlán. The
banda made up for any past neglect of its hometown, playing and performing
tirelessly for a good three hours without a break. Considering the size
of the crowd, the proceeds must have amounted to a tidy sum that will benefit
the neat little village of El Recodo in some noticeable way. |
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