The various musical formations where Antonio RIVAS y sus Vallenatos occurs in quasi exclusiveness are:
Antonio RIVAS TRIO
Antonio RIVAS : accordéon, lider vocal
Daniel FARIAS / Nelson GOMEZ : basse, back vocals
Robin "EL CHINO" VITRY : guacharaca / Kent BISWELL : guitare, back vocals
Antonio y sus Vallenatos
Antonio RIVAS : accordeon,voix lider
Daniel FARIAS : basse
Hugo HERNANDEZ /Aldo GUINART: clarinette, saxophone,flute
Kent BISWELL : guitare
Juan-Manuel FORERO : congas
Robin "EL CHINO" VITRY : guacharaca
Jimy LOPEZ / Boris CAICEDO : timbales
Jorge POSADA / Ricardo LOPEZ / Jimy LOPEZ : tambora,caja vallenata
Gloria MENDIOLA / Sujey DOUX "Sol" / Gina / Lacides /YAMILE/Sonia : danceurs
BUT WHAT IS THE 'VALLENATO' ?
- This music originated in the Atlantic coastal region of Colombia, around Valledupar (1).
-The accordion was taken there by Europeans towards the end of the 19th century, It was then taken up by the descendants of Spaniards, Indians and Blacks living in that region, and by others living in the Chocô department, in the Pacific coastal region.
That is where Antonio Rivas Padilla was born. He explains that traditionally the accordion had a similar role to that of the rural policeman's drum in France.
-When he wanted to pass on a massage. The accordionist would play until a crowd gathered and then he would sing the news, having made it into a song as he went along. This is still the case, so the songs tell true stories, often about the musician's own experiences...
- There are four different rhythms :
- The Son, an slow, melancholy rhythm; where the words are very important
- The Paseo, where there is a better balance between melody and words.
- The Merengue, much faster and more melodic
- The Puya, which the above all an exercise in virtuosity.
Another fifth rhythm ,named " Tambora " has actually allmost dissapeared.
- The basic instruments are the diatonic accordion, the guacharaca (bamboo scraper), and the caja (drum).
In modern bands, one also find congas (drums), an electric bass, timbales, guitar, and a vocal section comprising three singers; it is important to note the dissociation between the singer and the accordionist.
- The style of accordion-playing is very tricky because of the characteristic bass register, and because of the very nimble fingering that is required of the right hand.
It is a form of music with very complex rhythms and lots of swing!
(1) Valledupar is the capital of the César department in Northern Colombia..
Influences
ALEJANDRO DURAN
ANDRES LANDERO
LUIS ENRIQUE MARTINEZ
ABEL ANTONIO VILLA
ENRIQUE DIAZ
-Antonio RIVAS PADILLA was born in Istimina. Colombia, from Adriano RIVAS and Sabina PADILLA.
-Music always played a preponderant place in his family. Completely self-taught, he took up the diatonic accordion at the age of fifteen.
-ln Colombia, he was co-founder of several 'vallenato' groups and got to know many of the great masters of the genre like Alejendro DURAN, Abel Antonio VILLA, Mariano PEREZ, Pablo GARCIA, Emiliano ZULETA, Alfredo GUTIERREZ, Ismael RUDAS ,Pablo LOPEZ and many others musiciens.
-He took a master's degree in mathematics in Colombia and then came in France to prepare his PHD in High Energy Physics and then another master's degree in Computer. In 1984. he created the group Antonio y sus Vallenatos in Montpellier, then in 1987, with Nemesio Jimenes ('EI Condor'). He founded the group Novedad Vallenata in Paris. In Europe, Antonio Rivas takes part in most of the international events involving the diatonic accordion..
Some Rounds
1986-95 The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain
France: Spring of Bourges, the Meetings Int. d' Accordéon of Chartres, Fiesta of Suds in Marseilles, Festival of Mèze, the Volcano in Le Havre, Official reception of the 50ème anniversary of UNESCO to the Town hall - Paris
1995 WOMEX In Brussels - Belgium
1996 Antilliaanse Feesten (B), Pirineos On (ES), Rudolstadt (D), Mundial Festival, Tilburg (NL), Zug (CH)
France:Escales de St Nazaire, Musics on the City at Chalôns en Champagne
1997 Aarhus Festival in Denmark, Picante Festival in Zurich, WOMAD in Reading GB
France: Paris Quartiers d'Eté, Jazz à Luz,
2000-2001:FIESTA LATINA(SETE/FRANCE), RIA Chartres,Rencontres du Pirineous(Arseguel/España),
Festival de Montmagny(Quebec),Nuits de Nacre (Tulle),Festival de Jazz de Perpignan,
2001-2002:
Grece:Carnaval de Thesalonique,Half Notes(Athenes)
France:Fêtes de la Musique au SENAT,Feria de Beziers,Escales de St Nazaire,Festival Paris Planete
Pays bas :Groninguen
Portugal :Agueda,Coimbra,Tondela
España:Rencontres du Pirineous(Arseguel/España),1er Festival Internacional de Trikitixa(San Sebastian)
2003-2006:
Grece:Carnaval de Thesalonique,Half Notes(Athenes)
France:Nuits du Sud(Vence),Fêtes de Colliuore,Toulouse,Mende Strasbourg,Fête des geants(Lille)
Suisse: Fêtes de Généve
Portugal :Agueda,Coimbra,Tondela
España:Rencontres du Pirineous(Arseguel/España),Tradicionarios(Barcelona)
2007-2009:
France:Festival de la Rumba(Beaucaire),Fêtes de Marseille, Savigny le Temple,Internationales de la Guitarre(Perpignan),Au Fil de l'Aire,Festival du Bout du Monde(Brest),Tournée LOZERE,Waller,Glomel,Traverses de Tatihou,Opera de Lyon
Belgique: Airbag festival (Bruges)
Suisse: Fêtes de Généve
Italy:Irgoly(Sardeña),Bologne
Pays Bas : Sittard
Portugal :Agueda,Pont de Lima
España:Rencontres du Pirineous(Arseguel/España),Lliça de Aumunt,Barcelona
Somes TV's shows
1995: Mother-of-pearl confidences
Documentary of 26 min diffused in 9 areas in France by FR3
1997: "PASSAT"
: Emission Dutch International TV
1999: NET Television
: Greek International TV
Discography
1991 : La Perla de Arseguel
:Music & Words /MWCD 3002-CD-LP
1995 : El Jardinera Colombiano
: Silex - Audivis / B 6803 – CD
1997 : Despierta Corazon
: Lilopé / Milan/BMG – CD
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Antonio RIVAS Y Sus Vallenatos's Friend Space (Top 27)
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND DEAR FRIEND! A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. George Bernard Shaw
Bonjour Antonio Je suis très contente de t'avoir rencontré "en vrai" et aussi entendu. Un grand merci pour ta musique généreuse. Gros bisous à toi et à tes compagnons, A une prochaine Marinette
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