Folklife musicians honor fellow “Artivist” Pete Seeger
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Quetzal and Luci Murphy were among those who took part in the tribute concert.
The East Los Angeles band Quetzal performed with dozens of other artists Friday at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival as part of the annual concert in memory of festival co-founder Ralph Rinzler. While Rinzler’s been dead two decades, we owe him thanks and praise because, festival organizers say, he was the driving force behind Folklife’s fabulous international showcase that takes place in late spring each year. Friday’s concert also honored legendary folk musician Pete Seeger, who passed away in January at the age of 94.
Seeger, whose commitment to social justice is in Folklife’s “DNA,” according festival director Sabrina Lynn Motley, was renowned for his activism, as well as his music. It’s an approach to the performing life that the groups on stage share too. While their genres vary, the performers each combine art and activism, or “artivismo,” as Quetzal’s lead singer Martha Gonzalez put it. Besides the Son Jarocho-inspired Quetzal, the music ranged from African folksy tunes to ’60s protest songs. The appreciative audience responded with cheers and impromptu sing-alongs, many officiated by Seeger’s nephew Tony. D.C. artist Luci Murphy led the crowd in a a cappella version of the Cuban song “Guantanamera.”
Quetzal, known for its mixology of ranchera, cumbia and salsa, R&B, folk and international music, performed an original twist on the classic Cielito Lindo. (Click above to check it out.) The group won a Grammy last year for its album, “Imaginaries,” produced by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. They have just kicked off a tour to promote the album, “Quetzanimales,” which comes out next month on the independent Artivist Entertainment label.
Co-founder Quetzal Flores told us Friday that it was an honor to be part of the Seeger tribute.
“It means a lot to us because Pete Seeger’s music has been an inspiration,” Flores says. “His whole commitment to humanity and human dignity really resonates with us.”
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