Artful Lives: Louie Pérez and Los Lobos telling the stories of East LA

The 2022 National Heritage Fellows have been recently named and we’re celebrating that and kicking off our “Artful Lives” series by revisiting my interview with songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Louie Pérez whose music with Los Lobos has deep roots in his neighborhood of East LA. The interview is a wonderful snapshot of Los Lobos’ fifty year journey as well as the beauty and strength of culture grown in community, a core principle of the concept of Artful Lives and of the National Heritage Award*.*  Louie Pérez is a great story-teller and in this podcast he discusses the creation of Los Lobos, the band’s love for and admiration of traditional Mexican music, their half- century commitment to bring that music and culture to the world, the extraordinary journey of “La Bamba,” the influence of East Los Angeles on the music, and the brotherhood the band shares.

The 2022 National Heritage Fellows are:

Michael Cleveland, Bluegrass Fiddler from Charlestown, Indiana

Eva Enciñias, Flamenco Artist, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Excelsior Band, Brass Band Musicians, Mobile, Alabama

Stanley Jacobs, Quelbe Flutist and Bandleader, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Legendary Ingramettes, Gospel Musicians, Richmond, Virginia

TahNibaa Naataanii, Navajo/Diné Textile Artist and Weaver from Shiprock, New Mexico

Francis “Palani” Sinenci, Hawaiian Hale Builder, Hana, Hawaiʻi

Tsering Wangmo Satho, Tibetan Opera Singer and Dancer, Richmond, California

C. Brian Williams, Step Artist and Producer, Washington, District of Columbia

Shaka Zulu, Black Masking Craftsman, Stilt Dancer, and Musician, New Orleans, Louisiana