Vykki Mende Gray: California Traditional Music
Vykki is the artistic director of Los californios®, a project of San Diego Friends of Old-Time Music (a California non-profit corporation). This musical ensemble interprets the secular songs and dance music of nineteenth century (and occasionally eighteenth century) Spanish and Mexican California. Vykki researches, transcribes, and arranges pieces from original material for this group’s repertoire. These efforts have resulted in interest in the genre, on both sides of the border.
Sheet Music Transcriptions of Traditional Music
Vykki is incorporating her research into her next book, which will be on music from Mexican California. She does original transcriptions and arrangements of pieces from the 18th and 19th century Spanish-speaking Californians, many from the Edison wax cylinders recorded by Charles Fletcher Lummis. She has collected material from californio descendents, making it once again available.
She has also compiled transcriptions of the fiddle music of "El ciego Melquíades," Melquíades Rodríguez,a tejano fiddler of yesterday, which may be ordered at http://order.loscalifornios.net/.
Kenny Hall's Music Book
One of Vykki's previous projects in documenting traditional California music was writing Kenny Hall's Music Book, published by Mel Bay Publications – a collection of California old-time music and reminiscences from Kenny Hall, acclaimed fiddler, mandolin player, and California living treasure.
For more information about Kenny Hall, go to:
Vykki was instrumental in creating the music program at Sherman Heights Community Center in San Diego. She teaches Mariachi violin classes for students ranging in age from five years old to adult.
For more information about these efforts, please visit these sites:
Los Californios® is a registered trademark belonging to San Diego Friends of Old-Time Music, Inc.,
a California non-profit corporation.