Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Mexican American cultural arts and community. Founded in San Pablo, CA in 1994 by musician and educator Eugene Rodriguez, Los Cenzontles trains youth in traditional Mexican arts and provides cross-cultural connection through classes, events and a robust catalog of recordings and media. The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation provided general operating support for this small organization with an outsized impact, specifically for cultural education, media production and outreach.
A performing group composed of Academy alumni creates media that celebrates the beauty and power of traditional Mexican music and cross-cultural collaborations. Los Cenzontles (Nahuatl for “The Mockingbirds”) has collaborated with a range of artists including Linda Ronstadt, The Chieftains, Los Lobos, Los Tigres del Norte, Ry Cooder, David Hidalgo and Taj Mahal. Check out one of their videos below and find more on the Los Cenzontles YouTube channel. The group was featured in the 2020 documentary film Linda and the Mockingbirds, about a journey to Mexico with Linda Ronstadt to explore her musical roots.
