By: Fernanda Morales
Welcome to the penultimate interview of the year in this wonderful section “Local Soundtrack”, a space to open the conversation with artists who give life and sound to the streets of San Miguel de Allende. For this edition we had a warm and inspiring interview with Alberto Robledo, a saxophonist and clarinetist who, with his unique sound, has enriched the streets of San Miguel for more than 8 years.
Alberto, affectionately known as 'Beto', is a versatile musician who specializes in the saxophone and clarinet. Currently, he is part of various musical projects such as 'Los Hot-tamales', the 'San Miguel World Music' orchestra directed by Víctor Monterrubio and the 'Sotol Sónico' quartet led by Sergio Carrillo.
At the same time, Beto is exploring composition, seeking to give shape to his vast musical experience accumulated over the years.
This talented saxophonist has explored various musical genres, from swing and jazz to cumbia. As he himself confesses: «Since I started playing the saxophone, this instrument has always captivated me, although I admit that, in my case, musical training was one of the most challenging aspects».
Curiously, Alberto trained as a journalist, but music became his true passion. Despite not having musicians in his family, his artistic sensitivity, inherited from his parents, led him to explore different instruments. «My mother is an excellent painter; sensitivity has always been a fundamental part of my upbringing, and I consider it essential in all arts», he adds.
At the age of 14, Beto began playing guitar and never stopped exploring the world of instruments. After graduating, at the age of 21, he decided to dedicate his life to music and embarked on a journey that took him to San Miguel de Allende 8 years ago. Here, he has shared his talent with all those willing to listen.
In his search for his own sound, Beto experimented with various musical genres. During his teenage years, he was drawn to metal, influenced by bands such as Metallica and Slipknot. «I was a teenager and I was angry, I was looking for intensity, distortion… Over time, my sound evolved. I went through the Woodstock phase, listening to Jimi Hendrix and The Doors, until I discovered the saxophone thanks to Paquito de Rivera».
What makes Beto special is his ability to connect with different musical genres. He can play cumbia with Grupo Malo, connecting with the public and celebrating Mexican traditions, or explore his more introspective side by playing jazz in his personal projects.
«My greatest satisfaction is being able to play every day and share my music with people. Every morning I wake up thinking about how I will connect with music today.»
Alberto has organically integrated into the music scene of San Miguel de Allende and has learned a lot from great musicians such as Gabriel Hernández, Sergio Carrillo, Víctor Monterrubio and Alex de los Hot-tamales. «Being part of this artistic community has allowed me to meet authentic and passionate people. The public has welcomed me with great affection, and that shows me that I am on the right path».
If you want to discover the wonderful sound of Alberto and his saxophone, you can find him regularly at Paprika and Café Rama. Follow him on his social media to keep up to date with his upcoming performances.
The next date is this December 5th at the Santa Ana Theater of the Public Library at 3 pm. There you will be able to enjoy his original compositions with his quartet, made up of Sergio Carrillo on the double bass, Ricardo Urbina on the guitar and Israel Chávez on percussion.
Thank you for reading this wonderful space once again, where we get to know the artists who are part of the San Miguel de Allende music scene on a monthly basis. See you next time!
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Interview location: Conception Boutique Hotel
