Miami International Film Festival 2010

World Premiere.

Colombian vallenato or “valley music” is a musical style similar to American country music which conveys everyday stories of love and loss. Nowadays, its rural sentiment, straightforward message, and danceable rhythms have invaded the cities, and Latin superstars like Carlos Vives, Shakira and Gloria Estefan have fused this accordion sound into their songs and have taken it to millions of fans worldwide. In Colombia's northern Magdalena Valley, small children learn to play the accordion at their father's knee while hundreds of professional practitioners, sometimes several generations of accordeoneros in the same family, perform dazzling feats of musical prowess at social events and duel for bragging rights at annual festivals. This film documents the legendary six-day music festival that takes place once every 10 years in the Caribbean coastal market town of Valledupar and focuses on the fierce competition among Colombia’s top accordion virtuosos for the undisputed “Accordion King” title and crown.

The Accordion Kings will air on Smithsonian Channel later this year, and the accompanying CD “¡Ayombe! The Heart of Colombia's Música Vallenata” is available now from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.