Kollektiv Barfuss is a newly founded band based in Zurich that plays son jarocho, a traditional genre from Mexico, mostly associated with the state of Veracruz. The origin of son jarocho goes back to the convergence of music from southern Spain mingled with both native taste and African influence. This mixed character resonates with the members of Kollektiv Barfuss who come from different places and have also traveled far and wide. They play traditional songs from the son’s repertoire as well as their own compositions.

This band plays the canonical instruments of the son jarocho such as the jarana, the narrow guitars that signal the rhythm and accompany the melody; the requinto jarocho or guitarra de son is similar to the jarana but the strings are plucked rather than strummed. It introduces the song and plays the melody or counterpoints the vocal line. The leona has a similar but somewhat wider shape than the jarana or the requinto and it plays the role of a bass. The harp, being more versatile, may introduce the song, play the melody and the rhythm. The cajón (peruano) provides a particular swing to a mostly stringed music. A crucial component of the genre are the vocals that typically interact repeating either (part of) the verse or the chorus.

Apart from playing music, Kollektiv Barfuss is involved in raising awareness about political issues in Mexico and the world. Their struggle is to give voice to the poor and the oppressed and they reflect that in their music.

You can know more about the band here:
https://www.barfusskollektiv.ch/
   / @barfusskollektiv6178  
  / barfuss.kollektiv.5  

Members:
Juliana Santacruz: Percussion
Jaime Vargas: Harp
Chelo Vaca: Leona and voice
Cesar Bonilla: Guitarra de son
Alddo Flores: Jarana Tercera and voice