Los Gauchos de Roldán

www.walterroldan.com

"Los Gauchos de Roldán" were formed in Tacuarembó, Uruguay in 1986 by
accordion master Walter Roldán. Together they perform authentic music and
dance from the rural areas of Uruguay. The origins are rhythms and melodies
brought by European immigrants that were adapted by Uruguayans, giving them
a distinct tone and color. There are influences, as well, from
Afro-Uruguayans. The traditional instruments are the two-row button
accordion and the guitar. Walter comes from a family of traditional
musicians and learned to play the button accordion from his father and grandmother.

"Los Gauchos de Roldán" are a fixture at one of Uruguay's most important
folkloric festivals, "La Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha", in Tacuarembó,
Uruguay, performing every year for the past 19 years. On their 2005 tour of
North America they are performing at such venues as: Chicago World Music
Festival, Madison World Music Festival, and the Kennedy Center. Walter
participated in a world tour with Uruguayan singer Numa Moraes in 2003,
performing in: Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba.

"Los Gauchos de Roldán" consist of: Walter Roldán on button accordion, José
María Sanchez on first guitar and vocals, Gerardo Pedrozo on second guitar
and vocals, accompanied by the young dancers: Carlos Alemán and Silvia Bas.
All are from Uruguay. In their performances they explain the roots and history of the music as
they demonstrate the various rhythms, dances, and styles found in Uruguay as
well as the neighboring countries: Brazil, and Argentina. They perform
styles such as: polca, vals, shotis, mazurka, habanera, tango, milonga,
chamarrita, chamamé, vanera, maxixa, and vanerao.

Walter Roldán

Walter Roldán was born in Uruguay, in the department of Tacuarembó, in 1943.
He comes from three generations of traditional accordionists and by 1951
Walter was already playing the two-row button accordion in family events.
In 1959 he came to be part of the famous duo "El Viejito del Acordeón" and
began to play weekly radio programs on CX 140 Radio Zorrilla de San Martin,
in Tacuarembó. In 1972 Walter left the duo and started his own program
"Walter Roldán and his Accordion" playing every Wednesday at 8:45 PM. 
This program continues to this day.

In 1984 he represented Tacuarembó, and won First Prize in the National
Competition of Accordionists in the department of Treinta y Tres, in
Uruguay. In 1985 he created the annual Convention of Two-row Accordionists
in Tacuarembó with about 20 participants from the area. 
Now accordionists are invited from all over the country.

In 1986 he formed the group "Los Gauchos de Roldán", and has played every
year in the 18 years of the important Festival de la Patria Gaucha in
Tacuarembó. They have also played major festivals like: Minas y Abril
(Lavalleja department), Semana de la Cerveza (Paysandú department), The
Rural Society of Florida (Florida department), Sociedad Criolla Carlos
Reyles (Durazno department), Festival de Lascano (Rocha department), and
the Rural Society of Salto (Salto department).

Together with singer/songwriter Hector Numa Moraes, also from Tacuarembó,
Walter has recorded on three albums: "Memorias del Pago I", "Memorias del
Pago II y otras yerbas", and "Madrugada". Many songs on these albums were
gathered by Roldán from Northern Uruguayan folklore. Accompanied by Roldán,
Numa Moraes won the prestigious Charrúa de Oro award in 2003, the highest
honor given for Uruguayan popular music. In 200, with his group "Los Gauchos
de Roldán",. Walter recorded the album "Puntas de Arerunguá".
Walter Roldán toured with Numa Moraes in 2003 presenting in Canada, the
U.S., Cuba, and Mexico. Walter is a crucial figure in Uruguayan folk music
because of his unique style and vast knowledge of traditional rhythms passed
on through generations. He faithfully interprets songs played by his father
and grandmother as well as a treasure of songs learned from older
accordionists who have now passed away.

Together with his talented musicians and dancers, they bring a captivating,
original performance that demonstrates the diverse rhythms of Uruguay, and
is sure to delight and surprise North American audiences of all ages.

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