Since 1990, the oaxaqueño artist Fulgencio Lazo Amaya and Seattle saxophonist Bill ‘Memo’ Clifford have collaborated with artists, friends, and family to bring the culture and celebrations of Oaxaca, Mexico to Seattle, Washington.
The musical project, La Banda Gozona, includes:
picolo – Dick “Babalu” Valentine, Laura Oviedo
clarineta – Eloi Amaya-Chimil, Ben Smith, Bev Setzer, Yebá Ignacio
saxophonos – Scott ‘Scoo’ Granlund, Francisco “Paco” Diaz, Fran “Panchita” Lukas, Dick “Babalu” Valentine, Bill ‘Memo’ Clifford
trompeta – Vidal Amaya-Chimil, Heidi Wichsler, Eric Klobas
charcheta- Grigori Panchovillavich “Pancho” Yomanov
trombón – Marc Smason, George Potratz
baritono – Greg ‘Goyo’ Powers
tuba – Pete Leinonen, Clayton Murray
los ruidos – Kris Fulsaas, Hébert Lopez, Robert Treat, Bob Barraza, Laura Oviedo
United with the dancers of Amaya family, Jesus Mena Amaya, Joaquin, Antonio and Fulgencio Lazo Amaya, Gil, Eloi and Vidal Amaya Chimil, Mayra Vasquez, and Sequoya Hinman, La Banda Gozona celebrates the importance of zapotec culture, community, family, and life.
With the support and spirit that follows from our beloved musicians in Oaxaca, La Banda Gozona brings dances, sones, boleros, zapateados, valses and more styles of music of the zapotec people of Oaxaca. The group has performed concerts and celebrations in diverse parts of the Puget Sound including presentations in the Seattle Center and the Seattle Art Museum.
In the zapotec language, ‘gozona’ means to help each other. Ful and Memo invite you to share this gift of wonderful music. Let’s dance!
