Pasajero, A journey of time and memory

“Pasajero” A tribute to the marvelous culture and musical traditions of Mexico!
Los Tigres del Norte

‘“Pasajero is a wonderful story about young people who reclaim their heritage
A musical odyssey.” Les Blank

"Pasajero successfully combines music with storytelling, creating a tale of a forgotten Mexican tradition told by the folks who lived it and the young people struggling to reclaim their heritage." Les Blank

“ A fresh and colorful approach to the story of one group's endeavor to captivate and engage the next generation of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in their own dynamic cultural inheritance.” Maureen Gosling

Pasajero, A Journey of Time and Memory breaks new ground in the documentation of ethnic music and its impact on cultural identity. It powerfully explores nascent transnational imaginaries and new forms of social convivencia. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto, Independent Scholar, New York

I had the pleasure of attending a screening (of Pasajero)…and enjoyed it tremendously. I believe it can also be an effective tool for engaging Latino audiences, both U.S. born and immigrants alike. The documentary is a work of quality that appeals beyond Latino audiences to anyone who has experiences this rich and vibrant culture.

Given the large increase in California’s Latino population over the last fifteen years, the film breaks new ground in exploring an issue that is extremely relevant and timely: how does one assimilate into mainstream American culture while maintaining a meaningful connection to his/her roots? Congressman George Miller

Los Cenzontles’ work allows underrepresented cultures throughout the Bay Area to connect to their home experience and use it as a way to develop respect for diversity, the cultural arts, life-long learning and ones own history in a way that regular classroom instruction seldom does. This is observed in the kinds of positive reactions and emotions expressed by participants during your performance and documentary, and their willingness to act on next steps to create and/or bring something like what Los Cenzontles has done for San Pablo to their own home communities.

Congratulations for the wonderful and inspiring work that Los Cenzontles has done and continues to do throughout the Bay Area and the state. Hector Garcia ELD/Bilingual CoordinatorCurriculum & Instruction Alameda County Office of Education

Los Cenzontles has been able to successfully encapsulate and connect the importance of the traditional musical and performing arts to the education of students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Los Cenzontles’ work allows underrepresented cultures throughout the Bay Area to connect to their home experience and use it as a way to develop respect for diversity, the cultural arts, life-long learning and ones own history in a way that regular classroom instruction seldom does.

Hector Garcia, Director, Curriculum & Instruction, Alameda County Office of Education

“Los Cenzontles’ performance presents audiences with a unique view into the cultural soul of Mexican Americans. Their expressive energy fluidly embraces authentic, traditional Mexican music and dance blended with a warm creativity that reflects their own experiences in American culture.”

Gina Gamboa, Director of Bilingual Programs at Northeastern Illinois University’s Chicago Teachers’ Center

“… a fantastic concert that was at once inspiring, interactive, and educational. The audience is able to witness the transfer of a precious musical legacy from one generation to another. Los Cenzontles is an exquisite performing group.”

Chris Brown, Professor of Music, Mills College, Oakland, California