Emerging from Mexico in the mid-20th century, the trío romántico became one of the most enduring musical expressions across Latin America. Typically composed of three musicians singing in three-part harmony while accompanying themselves on guitars, a trío’s sound is built around the interplay between voice and instrumentation. At the heart of the ensemble is the requinto, a smaller, higher-pitched guitar whose bright melodic lines and delicate solos give shape to the emotional depth of each song.

Trío groups such as Los Panchos, Los Tres Ases, and Los Dandys popularized the genre, carrying its romantic ballads, rancheras, waltzes, and baladas across continents. Through radio, recordings, and migration, the trío romántico became a powerful way to preserve cultural identity and transmit stories of love, loss, and longing across generations and borders.

In California’s San Joaquin Valley, trío music remains a living tradition among diverse communities. This story page features the voice and experiences of Leo Mejía, a longtime member of Trío Romance in Fresno, who has dedicated nearly three decades to performing trío music across the region. His work reflects the genre’s intimacy, its focus on emotional expression, and its role in gathering people together in personal spaces—around dinner tables, patios, and romantic seranades.