Cerronato focuses on Vallenato music from Columbia with a few Cumbias thrown in the mix. Vallenata is popular and widespread in Columbia and Latin America. The leading exporter of Vallenato, Carlos Vives, was nominated for several Latin Grammies in 2000. Cerranato has a sample CD called Ocho Canciones, which contains (no surprise) eight songs. The group found a spot in the 2002 Austin Chronicle Music Poll in the Latino category. They play at venues like Manuel's, The Empanada Parlor and Central Market Cafe.

In the classic Vallenato style only three instruments are traditional: accordion, a small drum (the caja) and a scraper (the guacharaca). Vocals are important to this storytelling music. As the music has become more urbanized, Cumbias have been added.

The group includes Clemencia Zapata on lead vocals, caja Vallenata and bongos. Zapata also plays with Sazón and Conjunto Aztlan.

Rita Ricardo sings lead vocals and plays guacharaca. Ricardo, who grew up in Santo Domingo, has performed with the Dominican National Theater and is currently a member of the Austin group Sambaxé.

Brad Taylor plays bass and provides backup vocals. Taylor is a twenty year veteran of the Austin scene, having played with Sam and Dave, Bo Diddley, Mary Wells, Native Sun, Round Trip, Los Jazz Vatos and the Austin Jazz Workshop.

The accordionist is Mike Maddux, who sings backup vocals as well. Maddux is the founder of Cerronato. He has worked with Centzontle, Rubinchik's Orkestyr, The Austin Klezmorim, Maryann Price, Jo Carol Pierce and Erik Hokkanen.

Visit their Web site at cerronato.com.