About the music
The Gu-Achi Fiddlers hailed from southern Arizona. They lived in the Gu-Achi District of the Tohono O'odham Nation, formerly known as the Papago. Center: The O'odham Pakola Dance, circa 1910. Right: The great Tohono O'odham fiddler Elliott Johnson.
Los Gu'achis takes its name from the Gu-Achi Fiddlers, members of a native American tribe in southern Arizona. Tribal musicians developed a unique musical sound utilizing violins, guitar, and drums playing polkas, two-steps and mazurkas. They learned this music from many influences, including Spanish missionaries beginning in 1539. During the next three centuries, more music and accompanying instruments (guitar and violins) made its way to the Southwest. For example, Swedes and Germans, on their way to the Gold Rush in 1849, brought their music through this region, and it was quickly incorporated into tribal musical festivals and parties.
The Gu-Achi Fiddlers are no more, but Los Gu’achis is keeping much of their music alive. Violin player Barbara Arhon learned the music — much of which had been preserved on wax cylinders — while attending the annual Fiddle Tunes camp in Port Townsend, Washington. “Much of this music from the American Southwest is not widely known, but it has its roots in Native American, Mexican and European music,” she said. “It is an exciting sound that people seem to want to dance to.”
Los Gu’achis also plays music of the Early Californians (Los Californios), of Mexico, New Mexico and Swedish tunes, all of which lend themselves to the Gu’achi style. The band has recorded two CDs, “Songs of Mexico, Early California and Other Places” (2015) and “More Los Gu’achis” (2019).
The Gu-Achi Fiddlers are no more, but Los Gu’achis is keeping much of their music alive. Violin player Barbara Arhon learned the music — much of which had been preserved on wax cylinders — while attending the annual Fiddle Tunes camp in Port Townsend, Washington. “Much of this music from the American Southwest is not widely known, but it has its roots in Native American, Mexican and European music,” she said. “It is an exciting sound that people seem to want to dance to.”
Los Gu’achis also plays music of the Early Californians (Los Californios), of Mexico, New Mexico and Swedish tunes, all of which lend themselves to the Gu’achi style. The band has recorded two CDs, “Songs of Mexico, Early California and Other Places” (2015) and “More Los Gu’achis” (2019).
Barbara Arhon
Violin player Barbara Arhon, a former junior high school teacher and currently a music teacher in schools and square dance teacher, learned the music — much of which had been preserved on wax cylinders — while attending the annual Fiddle Tunes camp in Port Townsend, Wash. A native of Los Angeles, she learned to play the violin as a young girl, but gave it up and did not play for four decades before picking it up again in 2005, a few years after she had moved to Petaluma. She formed Los Gu'achis in 2008.
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Chris Samson
Rhythm guitarist Chris Samson was managing editor of the Petaluma Argus-Courier newspaper for nearly 30 years. A native of Palm Springs, California, he earned a B.A. in Language and Literary Studies from Prescott College. He has recorded and released two CDs of his original songs, “In My Own Time”and "Another Day in Petaluma." He hosted an open mic at the Petaluma Moose Lodge for 4 1/2 years and performs his own music as a solo act and with friends at various venues from time to time. He has opened shows for Norton Buffalo and It's a Beautiful Day. Visit www.chrissamson music.com. |
Steve Della Maggiora
Accordionist and lead guitarist Steve Della Maggiora not only plays many other instruments, but is an accomplished artist and muralist. He has played music professionally since the 1980s, ranging from rock and oldies to folk, bluegrass and ensemble and big-band jazz. He plays with California Zephyr, the Johnny Smith Band, Shauna Marshall's Nuclear Blonde Blues Band, Dave Hamilton, John Otis and Kevin Russell's band, the Familiar Strangers. He was guitarist with the Rivereens, a trio that played old blues, jazz and bluegrass tunes.Visit www.svn.net/artguy.
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Stephen Tamborski
Multi-instrumentalist Stephen Tamborski began playing guitar in 1963, inspired by the attention paid to the “English Invasion” bands by every girl in his junior high school. He moved to Chicago briefly to study the blues in their hometown but soon decided that he preferred the sunny and warm environs of California, moved back, and began studying jazz and surf guitar styles. He was a member of the trio The Artifacts for 18 years, The Big Tamborski and other groups. He joined Los Gu'achis in 2013, alternating between mandolin, guitar and bass.Visit www.area707.com.
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