Jesús Vidaña, Director of Conjunto Los Galleros

Keeping the Heart of Norteño Music Alive

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Photos, L-R: Jesús Vidaña interviewed for Sounds of California: San Joaquin Valley (Credit: Leticia Soto Flores/ACTA); two photos of Jesús with Conjunto los Galleros performing at a restaurant in Visalia, CA, on December 29, 2024 (Credit: Leticia Soto Flores/ACTA).

Jesús Vidaña is a norteño musician, vocalist, and bajo sexto player originally from Durango, Mexico, now living in Farmersville, California. He is a founding member of the group Los Galleros, a long-standing ensemble known for playing traditional norteña original music in venues throughout the Central Valley.

Jesús began playing guitar at a young age and later transitioned to the bajo sexto, an instrument he has continued to play for decades. He is largely self-taught, motivated purely by a love for the music rather than any early intention to perform professionally. Over time, however, music became not just a passion but a livelihood.

He co-founded Los Galleros with a small group of trusted musicians, emphasizing discipline, punctuality, and mutual respect—qualities he believes are essential for a healthy group dynamic. He notes the difficulty of finding musicians who are both talented and reliable, and credits the group’s long-running success to strong interpersonal values.

Los Galleros focus on norteña original, a traditional style rooted in the early works of Los Alegres de Terán, Ramón Ayala, Los Invasores, and similar icons. They perform with tololoche (upright bass) at the request of older audiences, honoring the original sound of the genre. While they occasionally play more contemporary songs, they prefer pieces that are “cantables”—singable, melodic, and grounded in tradition.

Jesús also composes corridos, contributing original songs that reflect the lived experiences and emotional landscapes of his community. His songwriting is grounded in storytelling, often shaped by real people and events, and always intended to connect with audiences on a meaningful level. For him, norteña music is more than entertainment; it’s a form of cultural expression that preserves history, conveys emotion, and sustains tradition across generations.

Today, Jesús continues to perform regularly with Los Galleros, offering music that resonates with diverse communities across California. He believes that those who truly love music will find their way into it naturally—not through pressure, but through genuine passion.

ACTA · Sounds of CA - Boyle Heights
"We really like traditional norteño because that music truly came to stay."
- Jesús Vidaña

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