Today I had the pleasure of watching a documentary on the "Queen of the Bullerrengue," Senora Petrona Martinez, a docu-short directed by Matthew Breinich and Cen3fugal Productions.  Matt and I worked together in New York.. he is a traveler, like I am- and I wasn't surprised to hear that he was moving to Colombia to follow his heart.  You have to do crazy things to have great results!

It looks like Matt has already made some new friends... this is a documentary about the power of the "Cantadora" in Colombian society.. the woman who keeps a village together through song and through remembering the history of her ancestors.  It is such a pleaure to listen to her sing, and to know the meanings behind the songs makes the experience even more special...

One of my favorite quotes from Sra Martinez?

"For when you stop working and writing, the mind starts to close.."






Part II



Here's a little more info about Sra. Petronal Martinez from her website...

PETRONA MARTÍNEZ WEBSITE :

PETRONA MARTINEZ (COLOMBIA)

Petrona Martinez is living proof that it can take a lifetime to becomean overnight success. She is also the embodiment of culture and history;one that has African roots and ancestry that penetrate deep into herLatin American home.
That home is San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, land of the slaves. Abus from there and then a journey along a path leads to her house, aplace of perpetual feasting surrounded by chickens, donkeys, cats anddogs and children singing, dancing and playing flutes.
Until recently,her source of income was gathering sand from the river to make bricks.It wasn't until 2002, at age 63, that she was nominated for a LatinGrammy with the BONITO QUE CANTA album.
Petrona Martinez inherited a strong singer's tradition fromBullerengue, an Afro-Colombian dance rhythm born during the Africanfight for freedom from slavery and originally sung solely by pregnantwomen confined to their homes and thus unable to attend village dances.The melodies were passed down through the generations. She learned themfrom her grandmother and great-grandmother as they sang while doingdaily tasks and attending Patron Saints Festivals.
She is now passingthem to her sons and daughters, some of whom are part of her eight-pieceensemble.Petrona's performances are authentic, uninhibited and memorable. Withher band pounding out rhythms and vocals around her, she sings andalternates between dancing and sitting in a rocking chair.Her group incluyes daughters Joselina Llerena and Nilda Llerena.Appearing with them are percussionists Janer Amaris, Guillermo Valencia,Edwin Muñoz, Javier Ramirez and Stanley Montero. Her manager is RafaelRamos.