Bolero Mexhattan
A collection of love letter songs inspired by Old Manhattan's iconic culture and timeless Mexican Guitars.
It is a unique soundtrack of romance between two of the most creative cities in the world: Mexico City and NYC.
A culture of serenade between
Mexico City and NYC
Celebration of romance and the enduring power of music to unite hearts across
cultures and generations.
The American Bolerista & Los Ramirez Amor
A collection of songs pays homage to Bolero Music and the art of Mexican Guitars Trios. It is crafted with the timeless voice of Jonathan Lolley, inspired by the style of Old Manhattan voices.
What's Bolero music?
This genre is more than a style of music. UNESCO considers it to be an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Bolero originated in Mexico and Cuba in the early 1900s. It spread to other Latin American countries with its lyrical lyrics of love and heartbreak, accompanied by rhythmic percussion, guitars, basses, pianos, winds, and its characteristic Mexican requinto, which, together with solitary or group voices, enriched it.
For more than 100 years, Bolero has become a rich cultural practice with a strong sense of identity in Mexican and Cuban cultures. Many people identify with its practice in family and community settings, such as serenades or even mourning ceremonies, in daily life, and in special gatherings for the interpretation and listening of Bolero, called bohemias in Mexico.
Bolero Mexhattan immerses audiences in a journey celebrating the romantic music of two of the most unique cities:
Mexico City and New York City.
This curated song collection reimagines American songbook standards in a Bolero style, surprising listeners with familiar tunes transformed into heartfelt expressions of romance.
Classics like "Sabor A Mi" are infused with the crooning style, adding a timeless American style to traditional Bolero. The classic song"I Wish Love" is recreated with a Latin flair, and it seems that it was originally written as a Bolero number.
As you listen to tracks like "Esta Tarde Vi Llover - Yesterday I Heard the Rain" by Armando Manzanero, you'll feel like you're experiencing a soundtrack that seems like a soundtrack for a romance story between two of the largest, busiest, yet most bohemian cities in the world, Mexico City and NYC.
Join Los Ramirez Amor and Lolley's Mexhattan serenade
01. Sabor A Mí
02. Yellow Days
03. Noche de Ronda
04. What A Difference a Day Made.
05. L-O-V-E-
06. I Wish You Love
07. Mucho Corazón
08. Yesterday I Heard the Rain
09. Esta Tarde Vi Llover
9. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
10. Pan, Amor y Cha Cha Cha
A childhood dream into a musical blend
Despite not having a Hispanic background but a heart full of love for Latin music. His first encounter with the enchanting world of Mexican music happened during his childhood at Disney parks. Amidst the cultural attractions, it was there that, as a child, the romantic guitars and heartfelt voices of Mariachi and Boleros first captured his imagination and sparked a lifelong passion for the genre, with the illusion of signing one day this music.
Inspired by the desire to blend his American singing style with the artistry of Mexican guitars, Jonathan embarked on a bold venture in 2020 to make a record around this meaningful story—a promise to blend two cultures harmoniously on a record.
Lolley discovered Los Ramirez on YouTube and Spotify. This marvelous Mexican Bolero trio has been performing for two decades in this genre and with some of the greatest stars, such as Armando Manzanero. The band is known for its unique revival of bolero tthat seamlessly mergeing tradition with a contemporary twist for this music.
This story needed to be told in a full-length album, so for two years, Jonathan and Los Ramirez Amor worked on a record made between New York City, Chicago, and Mexico City.
The Art of
Requinto
Maestro Adrián Ramírez
An instrument specially designed for Bolero music
Mexican Requinto is a special kind of guitar made exclusively for Bolero interpretation. It is similar in shape to a traditional guitar but made with a more petite body and a higher pitch.
It is known as an endemic from Mexico, and Alfredo El Guero Gil is credited with inventing the requinto format used in Bolero Trios. Some experts point out this instrument as the most essential element in developing the identity of the Mexican Bolero. This version typically has six nylon strings, particularly given its bright and clear sound. In the traditional style of Bolero music, the requinto adds a distinctive flavor to the music and is often featured in solos to showcase the musician's mastery.
Requinto sound defines the rich tapestry of sounds of Mexico's musical heritage.
Bolero Mexhattan has been produced and arranged by Maestro Adrian Ramirez, one of Latin America's most virtuoso Requinto players. Given its culturally high value, the desire was to give this instrument a protagonistic role. The Requinto pairs Jonathan's crooning-inspired style to provide that traditional sound to the soulful melodies of Bolero curated for the record.
Notably, this album may mark the first time American Songbook standards have been recorded with legendary Mexican requinto instrumentation. The blend promises a fresh perspective on musical traditions of Mexico and the U.S.
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