Album Notes

In 2002, as part of the community based project of el Centro Cultural de Mexico of Orange County, a group of mostly high school students began to explore the tradition of son jarocho. Through a tiny new space that was created and based within the Santa Ana community, now known as “El Centro”, Son del Centro developed into an active well-coordinated project that today symbolizes a community’s struggle for justice, economic sustainability, and empowerment through culture. Son del Centro was soon performing locally and internationally, and recognized as “el Corazon de Santa Ana.” Committed to sustaining a community space for popular culture and social movements, Son del Centro, provides an economic base for El Centro through fundraisers and performances. All revenues brought in through Son del Centro is filtered into El Centro’s programs or invested in local and transnational community development projects based on the promotion of culture and the interests of the community. The uniqueness of these groups is not just the diverse talent but the dedication and commitment of each performer to use culture for social justice. All members of Son del Centro have made a commitment to utilize their time and talents to empower their community and many are now university students. Each member has taken the responsibility to also teach Son Jarocho music and culture to the Orange County community for free, creating a circle of learning and breaking the divide between performers and teachers. Either by supporting political rallies and marches, assisting community based organizations, singling and writing their reality. This groups group is an example of what is possible when music and art are used to give a voice to causes that have no voice. Today, you can find Son del Centro either in Los Angeles at a fandango, in Veracruz working with the Cojolites, in Florida with the Coalition of Immokalee Worker, or in Santa Ana giving free classes at el Centro and singing our reality.