Tag Archives: Jujuy

Feature: El Grillo Jujeño

El Grillo Jujeño is a leader. Born in Jujuy, Argentina and moving to Buenos Aires 10 years ago, he turned his experience of  “desarraigo,” (uprootedness) associated with changing his location into a response that led to the creation of various social and artistic Collectives focused on the migrant experience throughout Argentina. He is also a folk artist himself, a lawyer, and a entertainment industry entrepreneur. A true craftsperson whose activities prove the power of Response.

Para empezar con algunos puntos básicas, de dónde vienes? Dónde estás?

Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?

GJ: Nací en el norte de Argentina, en la Provincia de JUJUY, la misma se caracteriza por tener a parte de su territorio considerado “Patrimonio cultural, paisajistico e historico de la Humanidad”, hablo de la Quebrada de Humahuaca. También allí, en ese caprichoso y magnífico paisaje se encuentra el famoso “Cerro de los 7 colores” entre otras bellezas naturales, por lo que desde ya los invito a visitar esa maravillosa región. 

 Recuerdo una frase que dice:

 “JUJUY le han puesto de nombre

  Debe ser cosa de Dios, 

  En el idioma del cielo 

  Así se llama al amor.”

 Me encuentro a más de 1700km de mi ciudad natal, en la ciudad de Buenos Aires o mas conocida como “la city porteña”, lugar donde se hace mas palpable “el crisol de razas” que poblaron a este pais. Es la ciudad “mas europeizada” dicen algunos. Esta mega ciudad, tierra donde muchos la consideran lugar de oportunidades, donde al transitar sus calles uno comprende porque “el tango” nace aquí. 

 Les comento algo que a lo mejor les parezca extraño, pero que también es verdad: dentro de ese crisol de razas que hacen a la actual poblacion argentina, también se encuentra la “RAÍZ AMERICANA”. 

 Esta ciudad fue receptora no solo de la migración europea, sino tambien de la migración interna del pais, por lo que les aconsejo (si es que tienen intenciones de conocer Bs As), hacer un recorrido cultural a traves de las “PEÑAS FOLKLORICAS”, fiestas donde se interpreta, baila y canta MUSICA FOLKLORICA ARGENTINA y también latinoamericana. Descubrirán una Argentina autóctona, americana y regional. Todo eso debido a la enorme extensión del territorio que se extiende desde Ushuaia hasta La Quiaca.

 Así es, Argentina es muy rica en historia. Y estamos hablando de historia identitaria y originaria de esta tierra sudamericana, por lo que los invito nuevamente a venir y conocerla.

GJ: I was born in northern Argentina, in Jujuy Province, characterized by having part of its territory considered a Wrold Hertiage of “Cultural, scenic and historic” value. I talk of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Also here, in this moody and magnificent scenery is the famous “Mountain of 7 Colors” including more natural beauty, and now I invite you to visit this wonderful region.

I remember a saying that goes:

“They gave it the name JUJUY

It should be a thing of God,

In the language of heaven

This is called love. ”

I am more than 1700km from my home town, in the city of Buenos Aires, better known as “The Port City”, a place where the idea of “the melting pot” that settled in this country becomes palpable. Some say the city is “more Europeanized,”. This mega city, the land many consider a place of opportunity, where to walk it’s streets, one understands why “Tango” was born here.

I will tell you something that maybe seems strange but that is also true: in this melting pot of races that make the current population of Argentina there is also the  “AMERICAN ROOT”.

This city was the recipient not only of European migration, but also of internal migration of Argentines, so I advise you (if you intend to travel to Buenos Aires), make a cultural journey through the “folkloric” parties where people perform plays, dance and sing ARGENTINE FOLK MUSIC and Latin American folk as well. One will discover a different sides of Argentina: native, American, and regional. This complexity is because of the vast expanse of territory stretching from Ushuaia to La Quiaca.

Indeed, Argentina is rich in history. And we’re talking about historical identity and the origins of this South American land, so I  again invite you to come and get to know it.

Que quiere decir Reflection and Response para ti?

What does Reflection and Response mean to you?

GJ: Lo asimilo con hacerse una pregunta o cuestionamiento, o CRISIS!!!!!!!! 

Analizar el problema y buscar probables soluciones. Desde hace años me cuestioné lo siguiente: Todos tenemos nuestros sueños y metas personales, pero también tenemos sueños que implican a la sociedad en su conjunto, y si no lo pensamos asi, deberiamos empezar a entenderlo, creo yo. Pensar en el otro.

 Aristoteles habló del hombre como “ser social”. Personalmente, considero que todos debemos aportar nuestro granito de arena al medio que nos rodea. 

 En estos 10 años que viví en BS AS conocí incontables provincianos de todo el país que sufren el “desarraigo” pero mantienen sus costumbres, cultura y tradiciones en la medida de sus posibilidades. La difusión de esas actividades generalmente no llegan a los medios masivos de comunicación .

 Esos provincianos son considerados para los porteños como intrusos y por otro lado, para los provincianos que residen en sus provincias, estos desarraigados son porteños. 

GJ: I think of Reflection as the idea of presenting a question, challenge, or CRISIS!!!

Analyze the problem and find possible solutions.

For years I questioned the following:

We all have our dreams and goals, but we also have dreams that involve society as a whole, and if we do not think like this, it’s something we should begin to understand. To think of the other.

Aristotle spoke of man as a “social being”. Personally, I think we should all do our bit for our environment.

In these 10 years I have lived in Buenos Aires I met countless migrants throughout the country who suffer “rootlessness” but retain their customs, culture and traditions as much as possible. The spread of these activities generally does not reach the mass media.

These migrants are considered intruders by those born in the city. On the other hand these same transplanted migrants are considered “rootless,” for the provincials who reside in their home provinces.

Que más estás haciendo actualmente? Que proyectos estás pensando trabajar próximamente? Como se encuentran esos proyectos con tu idea de Reflection and Response?

GJ: What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next? How do these projects fit in with your ideas on Reflection and Response?

Es por esto que decidí solidarizarme y aportar mi granito de arena a este mundo difundiendo lo hacen los provincianos y sobre todo los jujeños en BS AS, personas solidarias, trabajadoras, reunidas en centros de residentes o como “solitarios heroes”, (QUIJOTES DE LA CULTURA) que difunden sus tadiciones, cultura, música, comidas… TIPICAS ARGENTINAS!!!!!!!

 YO YA NO SOY UN QUIJOTE SOLITARIO gracias a TODOS los que se animan a soñar con un mundo mejor y todos los que nos acompañan en nuestros emprendimientos. 

Creo que es importante que las nuevas generaciones conozcan su pasado y puedan valorar la importancia que tiene el sentido de la IDENTIDAD. 

 CAMINATA DE LAS QUENAS 

 Es por eso que pensamos en la magia de los niños de Jujuy y me convertí en uno de los 4 organizadores del proyecto “CAMINATA DE LAS QUENAS”, Proyecto cultural, educativo, identitario, musical que se realiza todos los años en los meses de Julio en BS AS y en agosto en JUJUY. (IMPORTANTE: Este año es el Bicentenario del Exodo Jujeño)

Caminatadelasquenas@hotmail.com

 

EL GRILLO JUJEÑO

Por otra parte soy cantante folklórico.

 elgrillojuje@hotmail.com

 


 

 GESTORIA MUSICAL “MARTINEZ & BOERO”

 Soy uno de los socios de la Gestoría especializada en trámites para músicos ante organismos relacionados con la profesión del músico.

  gestoriamusical@gmail.com

 DERECHO DE MARCAS

  Trabajo en un Estudio Jurídico especializado en el asesoramiento de Marcas y Patentes   Industriales.

 www.fernandezlacort.com.ar

GJ: Thus I decided to express my solidarity and contribute my bit to this world spreading the work of migrants, especially those from Jujuy, living in Buenos Aires: caring people, workers, residents gathered in centers or “lone heroes” (QUIJOTES OF CULTURE) who spread and promote thier traditions, culture, music, food … TYPICAL ARGENTINA!!!

I AM NO LONGER A SINGLE QUIXOTE thanks to ALL who dare to dream of a better world and all who join us in our endeavors.

I think it is important that new generations know their past and that this knowledge can help them appreciate the importance of a sense of identity.

WALK OF QUENAS

This is why we believe in the magic of children in Jujuy and I became one of the four organizers of the “WALK OF QUENAS”  This project focuses on culture, education, identity, and music and is performed every year in July in Buenos Airs and in August in Jujuy. (IMPORTANT: This year is the bicentennial of Jujuy Exodus)

Caminatadelasquenas@hotmail.com

(EL GRILLO JUJEÑO) THE JUJEÑO CRICKET

I am also a folksinger.

elgrillojuje@hotmail.com


MUSICAL MANAGEMENT “MARTINEZ & BOERO”

I am one of the partners of a private agency specializing in musician/industry transactions.

gestoriamusical@gmail.com

TRADEMARK LAW

I working in a law firm specializing in advising industrial patents and and trademarks.

www.fernandezlacort.com.ar

Reflection and Repsonse.

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Argentina Thursdays: A Pair of Coplas

Buenos Aires, early 2010. Coplas. Found throughout the Spanish-speaking world, the set up is a call and response format accompanied by a bombo, or drum. The coplas I recorded by folk music activist Pablo Martinez are Andean in origin. The instrument that sounds like an elephant is called an “erke.” I played the erke in Pablo’s folk music band, and play the erke part between the vocal parts on the track.

Think Spanish gospel.

Pablo Coplas

Aquí estoy porque he vendio

Porque he venido aquí estoy

Si no les gusta mi modo

Como he venido me voy

Una sola mujer tengo

Dos hijas quiero tener

Una pa de vez en cuando

Otra pa permanecer

Jujeño yo soy señores

Yo no niego a mi región

Jujeñito lengua dura

Canta cuando hay ocasión

Here I am because I have arrived

Because I have arrived I am here

If you don’t like my way

As I have arrived I’ll go

I have only woman

I want to have two girls

One for every now and then

The other for always

Gentlemen I am Jujeño

I do not forget (negate) my home

Young Jujeño of hard tongue

Sing when there is an occasion||

I then did a remix of Pablo’s track and added some drums, piano, bass, and chopped up his vocal sample. This remix was a fun way to collaborate with a kind of music that I had never heard before.

Coplas Remix

 

Reflection and Response

-P

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Argentina Thursdays: Love You/ Tears!!

Buenos Aires, Las Cañitas/Belgrano district, 16th floor circa 2009. One of my first projects in Argentina was a remix of the legendary Ray Charles’ Drown In My Own Tears. Chopped it up, threw some of that Logic synth on there. Pain is universal.

Tears!!!!!

Same location 2010. Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You is stuck in my head.  Took the line right before she starts singing the verse and did some things. The flute you hear at the end is the homie Jaime, who plays flute and charango in a folk music band in the city.

Always Love You

Reflection and Response

-P

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Argentina Thursdays: From Jujuy to Buenos Aires

This week I present two mash ups. One is “Horn Track,” and it samples my friend Pablo Martinez’s horn line. His music is directly influenced by his home region of Jujuy, where he grew up before coming to Buenos Aires for college (See “Things a Peña Does” below for more info). This was one of my first Argentine folk music mash ups. I threw some drums, piano, and some distorted electric guitar on the horns to fill out the beat.

Horn Track

The second mash up is entitled “Porteña de mi Corazón,” and is a remix of a king of Argentine Tango Astor Pizzola’s track Libertango. Here I threw some drums, bass and a little sax and vocal breakdown in the middle. This track is for my man Nassim, who told me he felt it way back in 2010 in our apartment in Buenos Aires.

Porteña de mi Corazón.


These two tracks are remixes of two versions of the many identifications of Argentine music.

Reflection and Response

-P

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Argentina Thursdays: Things a Peña Does

Whatup!

So for this week’s Argentina Thursday post I would like to present two pieces. One of which is my senior thesis from the University of Wahsington, “Things a Peña Does: Everyday Forms of Nationalism.” This piece was recently published in the Jackson School Journal of International Studies, a peer reviewed journal produced by the Jackson School of International Studies at UW.  The paper was the culmination of my study abroad in Buenos Aires during the 2009-2010 academic year. The paper was one of the most difficult and exhilirating experiences of my life so far and I am indebted to the dozens of people who made this project work.

Here is the abstract with a link to the full piece:

For its entire history Argentina has been dominated demographically and economically by Buenos Aires. Poverty and relative inequalities in the hinterland have helped drive a massive internal migration to the city. A great portion of the resulting population of Buenos Aires consists of provincial Argentines who find interesting and innovative ways to negotiate urban life. This essay explores some ways that Argentine migrants use folk music parties, known as peñas, to create opportunities in the city. Importantly, many migrant accounts highlight the importance of folk music as Argentine, thus unifying folk music with other cultural representations of the nation. First person accounts show how migrants use this “entrepreneurial popular nationalism” in peñas to create their own entertainment, social networking and economic benefits. The paper presents a case for the peña, an innovative birthplace of nationalism, as a resource for a largely marginalized group.

Full Article

I would also like to present my track “Ave De Chrystal.” Made famous by the Bolivian group Los Kjarkas, my version is a remix from a recording session I did with lawyer and migrant activist Pablo Martinez. I sample Pablo’s cover version. He can be heard singing and playing the acoustic guitar. I chopped  Pablo and a group of activists are working on a social project called the Caminata de las Quenas, which celebrates the anniversary of the Jujuy Exodus in Argentina. His project is a wonderful example of how music can be used to educate and celebrate culture. A true example of Reflection and Response. If anyone has any questions about the Caminata feel free to contact Pablo at caminatadelasquenas@hotmail.com.

Ave de Chrystal

No se acaba el mundo

cuando un amor se va

no se acaba el mundo

y no se derrumbara.

Si fue verdadero

tras sus huellas volvera

si no fue sincero

otro lo remplazara.

The world doesn’t end

When a love leaves

The world doesn’t end

and it won’t collapse

If she was true

through her footprints she’ll return

It she wasn’t true

Another will replace her

Reflection and Response

-P

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