What musical traditions do you enjoy? In our conversation with Juan Dies the Co-Founder & Executive Director the two-time GRAMMY Nominated Sones de Mexico Ensemble in episode 49, we discuss the importance of folklore in reflecting society's values and how music can be a tool to discover and embrace one's heritage. Raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Juan first developed a passion for music, learning to play the guitar at age six. At age 18, he migrated to the U.S. and explored new musical styles including jazz, folk, reggae and rock. He served as Director of Community Programs for Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music before co-founding Sones de Mexico Ensemble. Juan shares insights into Mexican folklore, showcasing the importance of cultural preservation through education. We also chat about narratives like corridos which are tragic ballads steeped in history and tradition, to underscore the power of storytelling in maintaining heritage. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Sones de Mexico: https://sonesdemexico.com/

Timestamps:
• 02:12 Journey into Ethnomusicology
• 07:29: Discovery of interest in anthropology and comparative cultures.
• 13:19: Contrasting anthropology and folklorist approaches to studying culture.
• 14:54: Folklorists reconstructing unwritten history and focusing on oral traditions.
• 16:03: Historical geographical method in studying Europe's unwritten history.
• 23:47: Application of oral literature theories to various art forms.
• 27:42: History of ethnomusicology and exploration of diverse musical systems.
• 32:00: Research project with a multidisciplinary team.
• 45:13: Transition to Sones de Mexico Ensemble
• 1:00:18: Introduction to corridos as storytelling ballads.
• 1:03:47: Teaching individuals to write corridos
• 1:06:02: Development of recitation in English for corridos with subtitles.
• 1:10:58: Importance of cultural education for age groups 9 to 14.
• 1:12:06: Benefits of starting cultural education at a young age.

Notes:
🎼 Background and Interest in Ethnomusicology
• Juan discussed his background, comparing cultures and exploring beyond his local world.
• Introduced to ethnomusicology by a professor, leading him to attend the Society for Ethnomusicology meeting.
• **Interest in vernacular music, American pop music, Mexican music, and African music sparked his journey into ethnomusicology.
🌍 Exploration of Spanish and Mexican Music
• Juan traveled to Spain and Kenya to learn about their music languages.
• Shared insights into Spanish and Mexican music, exploring different regions and music styles.
🎤 Corridos and Storytelling
• Juan specializes in corridos, a genre he teaches others to write based on local stories.
• Described corridos as being delivered journalistically, often including humor about past events.
📚 Teaching Approach and Language
• Juan teaches music classes exclusively in Spanish to provide a unique learning experience.
• Emphasized the importance of starting music education early for better results in the future.

Follow us:

Fabric of Folklore website

Youtube channel

Facebook Page

Facebook Group

Instagram

Twitter

Linkedin