The Greatest Names of Colombia’s Vallenato Music

Vallenato is a traditional musical genre from Colombia’s Caribbean region, particularly strong in areas such as La Guajira, Cesar, and especially the city of Valledupar, where it was born. This musical style, which blends folk poetry with the accordion, the caja, and the guacharaca, has been driven by outstanding artists who have taken its sound to national and international audiences. Below, we present some of the greatest figures in Colombian vallenato.

The greatest names of Colombia’s Vallenato music

Alejo and Nafer Duran

Alejo and Nafer Duran were two of the greatest representatives of vallenato in Colombia. These brothers from El Paso, Cesar, made significant contributions to this musical genre that forms part of the country’s Caribbean soul.

Alejo Duran became the first Rey Vallenato (Vallenato King) of the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata in 1968. His music was known for telling simple yet profound stories about love, rural life, and local festivities. Some of his most iconic songs include Alicia Adorada, 039, La Cachucha Bacana, and Pedazo de Acordeón. Alejo was also a staunch defender of traditional vallenato, resisting the influence of other genres that threatened to change its original sound.

Nafer Duran, on the other hand, also stood out as a virtuoso accordionist, although with a more melodic and contemporary style. Unlike his older brother, he connected with younger generations without losing the essence of classic vallenato. His career included collaborations with several renowned folk artists. Some of his most popular songs include El Desconocido, Amor Comprendido, and La Puya Loca.

Rafael Escalona

Rafael Escalona was one of the greatest vallenato composers in Colombia’s history. He was born on May 26, 1926, in Valledupar, Cesar, and began composing at a young age, inspired by the daily life and stories of his people.

His songs not only recounted personal anecdotes but also reflected the culture, humor, and spirit of the vallenato people. Among his most emblematic compositions are La Casa en el Aire, El Testamento, La Molinera, and La Brasilera. His music crossed borders and was interpreted by major artists such as Carlos Vives, Diomedes Díaz, Jorge Oñate, and Poncho and Emilianito Zuleta, among others.

Escalona was also a co-founder of the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata, alongside Consuelo Araújo Noguera and Alfonso López Michelsen, helping establish the most important event in the genre.

Leandro Diaz

Leandro Diaz was a legendary Colombian composer and singer-songwriter, considered one of the great figures of vallenato. He was born on February 20, 1928, in Barrancas, La Guajira. Blind from birth, Leandro developed an extraordinary sensitivity for describing landscapes and emotions through his lyrics.

He composed his first song, La Loba Ceniza, at the age of 17. Throughout his life, he created over 300 songs, many of which are now vallenato classics. Among his most renowned works are Matilde Lina, La Diosa Coronada, and Bajo el Palo e’ Mango.

Diaz was widely recognized for his ability to capture the essence of Colombia’s Caribbean region in his compositions. In 2022, his life story was brought to television in a biographical series starring fellow vallenato singer Silvestre Dangond.

Diomedes Diaz

Diomedes Diaz is one of the most remembered figures of vallenato in Colombia. He was born on May 26, 1957, in San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira. From a young age, he demonstrated great talent for songwriting and singing. His first song, Cariñito de mi vida, was recorded in 1975 and marked the beginning of a successful career.

Over the course of his career, he released more than 30 albums and composed 183 songs, many of which became vallenato classics. His most recognized hits include Sin Medir Distancias, El Cóndor Herido, and Tú Eres la Reina.

Diomedes Diaz is considered the best-selling artist in the history of vallenato. In 2010, he won the Latin Grammy Award in the Cumbia/Vallenato category for his album Listo Pa’ la Foto.

Los Hermanos Zuleta

Los Hermanos Zuleta, made up of Poncho Zuleta and Emilianito Zuleta, are one of the most iconic vallenato groups in Colombia. The duo was born in 1970 with the release of the album Mis preferidas, in which Poncho Zuleta performed songs accompanied by his brother Emilianito on the accordion. Over the course of their career, they have released numerous albums and performed countless concerts in Colombia and abroad.

In 2006, Los Hermanos Zuleta won the Latin Grammy Award in the Cumbia/Vallenato category with their album Cien dias de bohemia. In 2016, they were honored at the 49th edition of the Festival of the Vallenato Legend for their valuable contribution to the genre.

The group has been instrumental in promoting traditional vallenato, keeping alive the legacy of their father, the juglar Emiliano Zuleta Baquero. One of the most memorable moments of their career was their participation in the Nobel Prize in Literature ceremony for Gabriel Garcia Marquez in 1982, where they performed vallenatos in Stockholm, Sweden.

Jorge Oñate

Jorge Oñate was one of the most influential figures in Colombian vallenato. Born on March 31, 1949, in La Paz, Cesar, he revolutionized the genre by becoming the first solo singer in vallenato, breaking with the tradition where accordionists were also the lead vocalists.

Some of his most iconic songs include Nido de amor, Volví a nacer, La parranda es pa’ amanecer, and No voy a Patillal. Oñate played a key role in the evolution of vallenato by giving greater prominence to vocalists, and he helped solidify the genre nationally and internationally.

In 2010, he received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding career and contributions to vallenato music.

Rafael Orozco and El Binomio de Oro

Rafael Orozco was a legendary Colombian singer and composer, co-founder of El Binomio de Oro, one of the most influential vallenato groups. He was born on March 24, 1954, in Becerril, Cesar. In 1976, together with accordionist Israel Romero, he founded the group, revolutionizing vallenato with a romantic, modern, and highly melodic style.

His unique voice made him a genre icon, and his legacy lives on through songs such as La creciente, Dime pajarito, Sombra perdida, and Relicario de besos.

El Binomio de Oro has been a platform for many great vallenato talents, earning the nickname “The Vallenato University.” Among its most notable singers are:

Rafael Orozco (1976–1992): Co-founder and lead singer until his passing.

Jean Carlos Centeno (1993–2005): One of the most recognized voices after Orozco.

Jorge Celedón (1996–1999): Later achieved major success as a solo artist.

Alejandro Palacio (2004–2008): Helped modernize the group.

Dubán Bayona (2008–2013): Known for his romantic style.

Jean Piero Spano (2016–2019): Brought freshness and youth to the group.

Omar Geles and Los Diablitos

Omar Geles was one of the greatest innovators of romantic vallenato. In 1985, alongside Miguel Morales, he founded the group Los Diablitos in Valledupar, quickly becoming a genre reference. From their debut album, De verdad verdad (1985), they established a sensitive and nostalgic style within vallenato.

One of their biggest hits was Tú, composed by Hernando Marín, which solidified the group’s place in the music scene. Over the years, Los Diablitos featured renowned vocalists like Jesus Manuel Estrada, Alex Manga, and Junior Rangel.

In 2004, seeking a new musical identity, Omar Geles renamed the group La Gente de Omar Geles. In addition to being a talented accordionist, he was a prolific songwriter. Among his most recognized works are Los caminos de la vida, Cómo le pago a mi Dios, Cuatro rosas, and Tarde lo conocí, songs interpreted by various vallenato artists.

Geles was also a multiple-time winner of the Festival of the Vallenato Legend, establishing himself as a central figure in Colombian folklore.

Patricia Teheran

Patricia Teheran was one of the most iconic female voices in Colombian vallenato. Born on June 10, 1969, in Cartagena, Bolivar, she broke barriers in a genre historically dominated by men and became a symbol of female empowerment. She began her musical career with Las Musas del Vallenato, an all-female group with whom she recorded the albums Alma de mujer, Guerras del amor, and Explosivas y sexis. Later, she founded Las Diosas del Vallenato, with whom she released the successful album Aroma de mujer in 1994, solidifying her romantic and melodic style. Among her most iconic songs are “Tarde lo conocí,” “Me dejaste sin nada,” and “Amor de papel.” Her legacy has inspired new generations of female vallenato singers, such as Ana del Castillo, Karen Lizarazo, and Margarita Doria.

Ivan Villazon

Ivan Villazon, born on October 25, 1959, in Valledupar, Cesar, is one of the leading exponents of traditional vallenato. He began his artistic career in 1984 with the album El arco iris, recorded with accordionist Alfredo “Fello” Gámez. Throughout his career, he has worked with great accordion masters such as Orangel “El Pangue” Maestre, Raúl “Chiche” Martínez, Gonzalo “El Cocha” Molina, and Beto Villa. His powerful voice and emotional performance style have earned him recognition as one of the most authentic voices in the genre. His hits include “Noticias,” “Por jugar al amor,” and “El arco iris.” Villazón has played a key role in preserving traditional vallenato while adapting it for new generations without losing its essence.

Nelson Velasquez & Los Inquietos del Vallenato

Nelson Velasquez and Los Inquietos del Vallenato marked a turning point in the history of romantic vallenato. Founded in 1995 in San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira, by Velásquez and Emerson Plata, the group gained great popularity with their first hit, “Volver.” Their musical proposal captivated not only Colombia but also countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, and the United States. With albums like Volver a triunfar, Inquietos por el mundo, and Presente y futuro, they established a melodic, modern, and emotional style. Before founding the group, Velásquez was a backup singer for Los Diablitos, which enriched his musical background. He later also enjoyed a successful solo career. Los Inquietos played a key role in the renewal of vallenato, making it more accessible to new audiences.

Carlos Vives

Carlos Vives is one of the most influential Colombian artists worldwide and a key figure in the internationalization of vallenato. Born on August 7, 1961, in Santa Marta, Magdalena, he began his career as an actor before fully committing to music. In 1991, he released Escalona: un canto a la vida, inspired by the TV series about Rafael Escalona. However, it was in 1993 with Clásicos de la provincia that he revolutionized vallenato by blending it with pop, rock, and other Caribbean rhythms. Since then, albums such as La tierra del olvido, El amor de mi tierra, and Déjame entrar have positioned him as a benchmark of Colombian music. Winner of two Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammys, Vives was the first Colombian to receive a Grammy from the U.S. Recording Academy. In 2018, he received the Latin Grammy for Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album, reaffirming his legacy.

Silvestre Dangond

Silvestre Dangond is one of the greatest exponents of modern vallenato. Born on May 12, 1980, in Urumita, La Guajira, he has been an innovator within the genre, incorporating elements of pop, urban music, and reggaeton. He began his career in 2002 with the album Tanto para ti, quickly standing out with songs like “Quién me mandó” and “Muñeca de porcelana.” Among his most notable albums are La fama (2006), featuring hits like “La miradita” and “Así no sirve”; No me compares con nadie (2011), certified Diamond in Colombia; Gente valiente (2017), with a more global approach; and Las locuras mías (2020), a return to his vallenato roots. Dangond has played a key role in the evolution of contemporary vallenato, bringing it to international stages and winning over new audiences.