Explore the enchanting world of Pasillo, Ecuador’s musical treasure originating from the Andean highlands, blending local melodies with European influences in 3/4 time. This introspective genre, featuring guitars, requintos, and pianos, delves into themes of unfulfilled love and the passage of time, captivating the hearts of listeners. Evolving through the centuries, Pasillo found its voice in the bustling streets of Quito and Guayaquil, resonating with artists like Julio Jaramillo and Carlota Jaramillo.
The Andean Heartbeat
Pasillo, Ecuador’s gift to the musical cosmos, hails from the Andean highlands, echoing both local tunes and old European whispers. Enigmatic by nature, its rhythms wander in 3/4 time, a nostalgic nod to the waltz and tango. A delight for introspective souls. The instruments of choice? Guitars, requintos, bandolins, and occasionally, the gentle hum of wind instruments alongside the piano, crafting tales of melancholia and yearning.
Those chasing the echoes of love find solace in pasillo’s themes. Unfulfilled affections and the inevitability of time’s passage unfold through hauntingly poetic lyrics. A cathartic release, whispering tales of the heart’s unending turmoil.
The Time Traveler’s Tune
Born in the 19th century shadows, pasillo weaves through time, absorbing indigenous and European influences to craft a uniquely Ecuadorian sound. An urban muse, it found its voice amidst Quito’s bustling streets and Guayaquil’s vibrant alleys. As clocks ticked forward, pasillo waltzed its way through transformations, sprinkling hints of modernity while clasping tightly to its roots.
Julio Jaramillo, dubbed “The Nightingale of America,” sparked its mid-20th-century resurgence. With his guitar in hand, Jaramillo’s chronicles—spanning boleros to tangos—reached far beyond Ecuador’s borders. Carlota Jaramillo, the “Queen of Pasillo,” lent her voice to the genre’s soul, ensuring its stories remain etched in hearts and minds.
Crossing Borders and Minds
Pasillo’s journey isn’t confined to Ecuador. In Colombia, it dons a quicker tempo, punctuated with rhythmic diversions. However, in the Ecuadorian realm, it drifts towards softer, melancholic ballads, favoring melody over rhythm. Each country molds it slightly, creating regional variants that retain its essence while embracing subtle nuances.
Today, this genre meanders through the music world with a contemporary edge. Musicians like Los Charros Insobornables, Soma, and Jorge Saade Scaff breathe new life into its tapestries. Hermanos Miño Naranjo, a duet of fifty years’ standing, entices with versatile offerings, while Trio Los Brillantes continues its legacy as a cultural beacon.
The Modern Purveyors
Pasillo Ecuatoriano by Jenny and Hugo Noriega, along with Nancy Manchego’s “Idilio,” narrates today’s tales. Rogerpaul brings a hint of “Fantasía,” adding layers to this genre’s story. Mariana Juliana Arenas Jimenez and Tati slip into the pasillo scene, their melodies floating through digital streams, offering fresh interpretations.
Enrique Espín Yépez, guardian of the pasillo, and the Henryk Szeryng International Violin Competition stand testament to pasillo’s timeless allure. The Museo de la Música Popular Guayaquileña serves as a vault of Ecuador’s melodious chronicles, a tribute to Julio Jaramillo and his symphony of serenades, unyielding and everlasting.
Tracklist :
Duo Hermanos Silva – Lo Ignoro
Duo Hermanos Silva perform “Lo Ignoro” in a restrained pasillo arrangement, marked by clear vocal phrasing and sparse guitar interplay.
Max Berrú Y Los Charros Insobornables- Sombras
Max Berrú y los Charros Insobornables reinterpret “Sombras” with slow pasillo rhythm, nostalgic vocals, and a faint Mexican influence.
Jorge Saade Scaff – Violín Y Boris Cepeda – Piano, Pasillo En La Menor (Enrique Espin Yepez)
Jorge Saade Scaff and Boris Cepeda perform a pasillo in A minor by Enrique Espín Yépez, pairing violin lyricism with steady piano accompaniment.
Grupo Seresta Colombia – Acuarela. (Pasillo) Version Leon Cardona García
Grupo Seresta from Colombia plays “Acuarela” as a chamber-style pasillo, evoking León Cardona García’s melodic structure with delicate pacing.
Trio Los Brillantes Esta Pena Mia
Trio Los Brillantes perform “Esta Pena Mía” in the classic pasillo trio format, alternating harmonized vocals with simple string backing.
Fantasía – Pasillo
“Fantasía – Pasillo” is an instrumental rendition using extended arpeggios and free phrasing while keeping within the traditional form.
Pasillo Ecuatoriano Interpreta Jose Luis Allo Pineda Guitarra Manuel Rodriguez Mod A
José Luis Allo Pineda and Manuel Rodríguez offer a clean pasillo guitar duet, maintaining traditional Ecuadorian modal inflection.
Hugo Noriega – Jenny – Pasillo Ecuatoriano De Terry Pazmiño.
Hugo Noriega sings “Jenny,” composed by Terry Pazmiño, with polished phrasing that mirrors the romantic character of the Ecuadorian pasillo.
Idilio- Pasillo – Nancy Manchego Y Gabriel Castillo
Nancy Manchego and Gabriel Castillo perform “Idilio” in duet, delivering a sentimental pasillo framed by soft guitar lines and harmonies.
El Pasillo Ecuatoriano Historia 2010
“El Pasillo Ecuatoriano Historia 2010” presents narrated segments outlining the genre’s origins, poetic themes, and historical performers.
Pasillo Pasional
“Pasillo Pasional” is structured around emotive phrasing and minor chords, foregrounding romantic melancholy in a slow tempo.
Tati Pasillo Fab.Wmv
“Tati pasillo FAB” shows a choreographed or staged pasillo with visual elements adapting the rhythm to a more modern interpretation.