Veracruz

Veracruz is a Mexican state as well as state capitol on the Golf of Mexico most often connected with the traditional regional music style Son Jarocho. The state is well-known in the country for its music and dance. The fandango is a dance brought over from Spanish. Today the state has two varieties: the Jarocho and the Huasteco.

A “son” is a musical variation which traces its origins to Spain and developed during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is most common in the south of the state and shows influences from the many peoples who have lived here such as indigenous groups, Portuguese, Italians, Africans, French and others. The music is generally performed by harps, violins and guitars, with an occasional wind instrument. Son Huasteco (also called son huapango) is a variety of son played in the north of the state mostly among the Totonaca.

The state orchestra is the Orquestra Sinfónica de Xalapa, created in 1929. The state has also produced a number of prominent musicians such as Agustín Lara, Toña La Negra or María Antonia del Carmen Peregino, Narcisco Serradel, Lorenzo Barcelata and María Greever.