Venezuelan Musical Traditions in Miami

Venezuelans are a fast-growing presence in Miami, as a consequence of the economic decline and political crisis of their country. In addition to the more than 30,000 Venezuleans in Miami-Dade County, there are close to 10,000 in neighboring Broward County, where the community of Weston is sometimes called “Westonzuela.” Many Venezuelan immigrants are of middle or upper-class backgrounds.

The Venezuelan cuatro and arpa are considered the country's national instruments, while the joropo, which has many regional variants, is the national dance. Miami-based Hernán Gamboa is a solo cuatro virtuoso who has given performances throughout the world. The cuatro, arpa, and capachos (small maracas), along with dueling voices, form the ensemble typical of Los Llanos, the vast plains region of the upper Orinoco River basin shared with Colombia. In Miami, the restaurant Alma Llanera on Southwest 107th Street is the “embassy” of música llanera (plains music). It is owned by renowned llanera singer and composer Reinaldo Armas and has its own web site: www.almallanera.net.

The African-influenced musical traditions of the Venezulean coastal state of Lara are represented in South Florida by the family ensemble Lara, Sabor y Tambor, led by Rafael Meléndez. Afro-Venezuelan coastal music is also performed by Venezuela Tambor y Canto, under the direction of Nancy Martínez and Delvis Demendoza..

Perhaps the most popular type of Afro-Venezuelan music is gaita, which is originally from the vicinity of the coastal city of Maracaibo but has spread throughout Venezuela as a Christmas music tradition. The best-known gaita ensemble in Miami is Venezuela en Gaitas, which, under the direction of Frank Stephen, has entertained South Florida audiences for many years.

Biographies, Photographs,
and Audio Recordings

Hernán Gamboa
Lara, Sabor y Tambor
Venezuela en Gaitas
Venezuela Tambor y Canto

Biographies, Photographs,
and Audio Recordings

Hernán Gamboa with cuatro.
Photograph courtesy of Hernán Gamboa.

Venezuela Tambor y Canto performs at a first communion party.
Photograph by Martha Ellen Davis.

Gustavo García, lead singer and percussionist of Venezuela Tambor y Canto.
Photograph by Richardson Patterson.