DOUGLAS -- The smell of authentic Mexican tacos and the sound of authentic son jarocho will fill the air on Saturday at Squash Blossom Farm.
In order to raise money for his mother, Mexican son jarocho artist Zenen Zeferino will travel 2,000 miles from his hometown of Veracruz, Mexico, to Oronoco for a benefit show with son jarocho band Axolotl, which includes 2006 Rochester Mayo graduate Cadence Nelson and her husband, Israel Vega. Vega asked Zeferino to come play southeastern Minnesota when he visited Mexico last year.
Nelson calls Zeferino, "a natural treasure of Mexico." The singer has not played Minnesota since 2006. While mariachi music is more popular, Nelson said son jarocho music is significant part of Mexico's musical history, especially in Veracruz. The song, "La Bamba," from the 1987 hit movie of the same name is one of more recognized son jarocho songs. Most of the songs have Mexican, Spanish and African musical elements.
Nelson knew nothing of son jarocho when she traveled to Mexico City to learn about mariachi music at La Casa de la Musica Mexicana. While studying in Mexico City, she met Vega, an instructor at the school. Nelson, who played the cello and piano in school, and Vega soon started a son jarocho band with Martial Hangbe (West Africa) and Nickolai Kolarov (Bulgaria).
For Nelson, the show is a homecoming. The world traveler now lives in the Twin Cities, but grew up at Squash Blossom Farm.
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Concert organizers are asking for a donation of $10 to $15. Along with the music, there is a free taco bar.
