Vallenato, one of the most representative musical genres in Colombia, has been shaped by great talents who have taken its sound and tradition to all corners of the country and beyond. Among these legendary names are two brothers who deeply marked the history of the accordion and vallenato: Alejo y Nafer Durán. Conocidos por su destreza musical y su contribución al folclore colombiano, estos dos hermanos oriundos de El Paso, Cesar, dejaron una huella imborrable en la música vallenata.
Alejo Durán: The King of Kings
Alejo Durán, born on February 9, 1919, was one of the greatest exponents of vallenato. Known as "El Negro Alejo", his style was authentic, his accordion unmistakable, and his way of performing, poetic and heartfelt. Alejo established himself as the first King Vallenato at the Vallenata Legend Festival in 1968, a title that highlighted his mastery as an accordionist, composer and singer.
A Own and Unique Style
Alejo Durán's style was one of a kind. He was characterized by his slow way of playing the accordion and his ability to tell stories through his songs. His compositions were full of simple but profound narratives, which spoke of love, heartbreak, the daily life of the peasant, life in the countryside and town festivals. Among his best-known hits are songs like «Alicia Adorada», «039», «La Cachucha Bacana», y «Pedazo de Acordeón».
Alejo Durán was not only an accordion virtuoso, but he was also a defender of the purest and most traditional vallenato, without the influence of other genres that in his time were beginning to modify the native sound of this music. He always defended the essence of traditional vallenato, emphasizing the importance of sincere singing and the accordion as the heart of the genre.
Nafer Durán: The Wise Accordionist
Nafer Durán, Alejo's younger brother, born in 1932, also stood out as an accordion virtuoso, although his style and career differed from that of his older brother. Unlike Alejo, Nafer adopted a more melodic and contemporary style, which allowed him to connect with the younger generations without losing the essence of traditional vallenato.
A Career Rich in Collaborations
Nafer Durán is known for his collaborations with several minstrels and renowned artists in the vallenato world, and although he never competed in the Vallenata Legend Festival, his reputation as an accordionist remains impeccable. His style is characterized by the elegance in the use of the accordion and by a more festive and joyful way of interpreting vallenato. Among his best-known songs are «El Desconocido», «Amor Comprendido», y «La Puya Loca».
Nafer, throughout his life, has dedicated himself to spreading authentic vallenato and has been a teacher for new generations of accordionists, sharing his knowledge and love for this musical genre. His legacy lives on through his performances and his work as a mentor to young talents.
The Legacy of the Durán Brothers
The Durán brothers represent two sides of vallenato: Alejo's attachment to tradition, with his slow and narrative style, and the innovative freshness of Nafer, with a more contemporary and melodic touch. Both contributed to the dissemination and consolidation of vallenato as a musical genre that transcends borders and generations.
Alejo Durán died on November 15, 1989, leaving an irreparable void in the world of Vallenata music, but his legacy lives on through his songs, which still resonate in the parties and parties of the Colombian Caribbean. Nafer Durán, for his part, continues to be an influential figure in Vallenata music, inspiring new generations with his musical wisdom and his passion for the accordion.
Los Guardianes del Vallenato Tradicional
The Durán brothers, with their own distinctive style, have left an indelible mark on Vallenato music. They are the living representation of the most authentic vallenato, the one that is born from the heart of the town, the mountains and the rivers of the Caribbean region. Thanks to them, the accordion remains the undisputed king of vallenato, and its stories, told through music, continue to move those who listen to them, generation after generation.
The names of Alejo and Nafer Durán not only remain alive in the memory of those who enjoy their music, but also in the heart of a genre that, thanks to them and other great artists, has achieved global recognition.
