Carlos Cuco Rojas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carlos Cuco Rojas
Carlos "Cuco" Rojas playing harp on a Cimarron performance
Background information
Birth name	Carlos Rojas Hernández
Also known as	Carlos "Cuco" Rojas
Born	(1954-03-28)March 28, 1954 San Martín, Meta, Colombia
Died	January 10, 2020(2020-01-10) (aged 65) Bogotá, Colombia
Genres	Joropo
Instruments	Harp
Years active	1978–2020
Labels	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Carlos Rojas Hernández (born March 28, 1954 – died January 10, 2020) was a famous Colombian musician. He was known as Carlos "Cuco" Rojas. He played the harp and wrote many songs in the joropo style. Joropo is a lively folk music from Colombia and Venezuela. Carlos "Cuco" Rojas was also the leader of a well-known Colombian band called Cimarron.

Music Career

Early Life and First Steps

Carlos Rojas Hernández was born in a town called San Martín. This town is in the Meta region of Colombia. This area is known for its wide plains.

His journey in music started at local festivals. These festivals celebrated llanera music, which is another name for joropo music.

In 1978, he recorded his first album. He worked with a singer named Cholo Valderrama. This album included popular songs like Quitaresuellos No. 2 and Viento Viajero.

Playing for a Nobel Prize Winner

Carlos "Cuco" Rojas had a very special moment in his career. He was one of the Colombian folk musicians who traveled to Stockholm, Sweden. They went there to play music for the famous writer Gabriel García Márquez. García Márquez was receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. It was a big honor to perform for such an important event.

Cimarron Band's World Tours

Carlos "Cuco" Rojas led the band Cimarron along with Ana Veydó. They became very famous around the world. The band played at many big music festivals. Some of these include the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and WOMEX Festival.

Cimarron traveled to over 30 countries. They performed in places like the United States, Spain, Japan, India, and many more. Their music shared the sounds of Colombian plains with people everywhere.

Researching Culture

Carlos Rojas Hernández was not just a musician. He was also a researcher of folk traditions. He wrote books and articles about the culture and music of the plains. These plains are found in both Colombia and Venezuela.

He also worked as an advisor for the Ministry of Culture of Colombia. He helped with important decisions about music in the country.

Music Albums

Carlos "Cuco" Rojas and Cimarron released several albums. Here are some of their well-known works:

See also

In Spanish: Carlos Cuco Rojas para niños