About

From the ashes of Los Angeles’ 1992 rebellion/riots arose a collective of East Side musicians committed to respectfully continuing the legacy of over 70 years of Chicano Rock, standing on the shoulders of giants like Ritchie Valens, Cannibal and The Headhunters, Los Lobos, and many others. Named “one of Los Angeles’ most important bands” by the LA Times and winners of a Grammy award in 2013, Quetzal forges a sound that will simultaneously make you dance and contemplate change, a sound as rich and complex as their pluri-ethnic barrio experience.

Artist Links: Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Tumblr  |  Youtube

Areas of Representation: Worldwide

Biography

From the ashes of Los Angeles’ 1992 rebellion/riots arose a collective of East Side musicians committed to respectfully continuing the legacy of over 70 years of Chicano Rock. Standing on the shoulders of giants like Lalo Guerrero, Ritchie Valens, Cannibal and The Headhunters, The Brat, Los Lobos, and many others, Quetzal has created a path that has earned them the title of “one of Los Angeles’ most important bands”(LA Times).

Quetzal forges a sound that will simultaneously make you dance and contemplate change, a sound as rich and complex as their pluri-ethnic barrio experience. Their unique combination of community activism and creative compositions has allowed them to travel the world using music as a tool for creating a global network of musicians committed to building community.

Since 2002 Quetzal has been part of a transnational dialogue between musicians in California and Veracruz, Mexico known as “Fandango Sin Fronteras”. Many recordings, performances, and publications have been born from this dialogue. Their 5th album, “Imaginaries”, released by Smithsonian Folkways, received the Grammy Award in 2013 for Best Latin Rock, Urban, or Alternative Album.

Tour Dates

Videos

News

• Nomfusi zooms in on self-healing!
  Singer’s music inspiration drawn from childhood struggles
  NOMFUSI is on a journey to heal herself.
  The singer, whose name is Nomfusi Gotyana, said she’s been forced to confront painful childhood experiences to understand how they’ve shaped the woman she’s become.
  Nomfusi, from KwaZakhele in the Eastern Cape, told Daily Sun her healing journey has also inspired the music ...
• Bia Ferreira Nominated for a Latin Grammy
  This week, the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations were announced. We’re proud to see a familiar name on that list – newly signed artist Bia Ferreira. Her newest album “Améfrica” was nominated in the Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) Album category. The 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will take place on Thursday, ...
• Ana Everling Included on Putumayo Discovery’s “European Escapade”
  Romanian vocalist and storyteller Ana Everling is included on Putumayo Discovery’s latest compilation. European Escapade offers an adventurous musical journey across the continent, with surprising detours and appealing songs at every stop. Think of it as a Eurrail pass for the ears: no fixed route, no predetermined destinations, just the pleasure of hopping on and off ...
• Manitoba musician Kelly Bado among top winners at Breakout West in Winnipeg
  BreakOut West, a four-day music industry conference, three-night music festival and home of the Western Canadian Music Artistic Awards, is being held in Winnipeg from Sept. 24 to 28, with Big Dave McLean and Kelly Bado among the big winners from the home province.
  Other top winners of the awards presented on Sept. 25 include Fransaskois ...

Press

Quetzal is a cool and classy band… Rich songwriting, enchanting arrangements, and serious musicianship… As a group they exude a lovely and irresistible spirit. — LOS ANGELES TIMES

Breakthrough music with greater gravity than what pop music currently offers. This is Latin American pop for the serious listener.” — ALL ABOUT JAZZ

Download – CD Review: “Imaginaries” LA Times 3/30/2012

Downloads/Media

Technical Riders:

Quetzal Tech Rider: Downloads (PDF)

Press Photos (high resolution):