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# Love, Joy and Cumbia
- URL: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/love-joy-and-cumbia/
- Published: 2026-09-29T22:38:16.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-29T22:38:16.000Z
- Description: Los Lobos rocks the house.
- Author: Diane Urbani de la Paz
- Tags: Arts & Culture, Los Lobos, Port Townsend Film Festival, Live Music, McCurdy Pavilion, Diane Urbani de la Paz

“They are my heroes,” Danielle McClelland proclaimed from the McCurdy Pavilion stage a few minutes after 7 p.m. Monday. 

Then came six men who delivered a night full of cumbia, polka, salsa, Tex-Mex, fusion, rock’n’roll and joy. Los Lobos sparked a standing ovation just by walking out into the light—and then proceeded to show us all the meaning of musical ecstasy. 

The band from East L.A. had played in Port Townsend before, a mere 14 years ago as the headline act of Centrum’s summer season finale. That was back when singer-guitarist-mandolinist-bajo sexto player Cesar Rosas’ hair was coal black. This time around, Los Lobos closed out the 27th annual Port Townsend Film Festival, where two screenings of the new documentary, “Los Lobos: Native Sons,” had already brought audiences to their feet. 

McClelland, the festival Executive Director, hailed the band as artists who have stayed true to themselves and taken risks over more than 50 years of music-making. This is a band that has played for the Obamas at the White House, appeared on “Sesame Street” and shown the world how delicious traditional Mexican music is.

On Monday night, the uninitiated concert-goer would not have suspected Los Lobos have been on this road for so many decades. Rosas’ coif is snow-white and spiky now; he and bandmates Louie Pérez Jr., Conrad Lozano, Steve Berlin and David Hidalgo are septuagenarians, for heaven’s sake, and all have plenty of fire in their furnaces—fire to share with any fortunate soul who walks into one of their shows. Drummer Fredo Ortiz, formerly of the Beastie Boys, fits right in although he’s just 51\. 

![Los Lobos guitarist-vocalist Cesar Rosas, left, and bassist Conrad Lozano.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/a2/c6a241c6-69f5-450c-9fd7-6b170730e448/content/images/2026/09/Cesar-and-Conrad.JPG)

**Los Lobos guitarist-vocalist Cesar Rosas, left, and bassist Conrad Lozano were there when the band started out in 1973\. Photo by Diane Urbani de la Paz*

Beginning with their iconic “How Will the Wolf Survive?,” the title track on their 1984 album, Los Lobos gave us 20 songs, in the midst of which Rosas called out, “Everybody cumbia right now!” A wave of dancers obeyed and came forward to be rewarded with “Come On, Let’s Go,” sung with gusto by Hidalgo. 

In the ensuing onslaught, Los Lobos gave us “Why Do You Do,” “Wicked Rain” and “Buzz Buzz Buzz,” and, just when I thought it couldn’t get any groovier, “Oye Como Va.” 

Then it was time for the accordion. The instrument was placed in Hidalgo’s arms, and one of the few slower-tempo songs flowed forth: “Kiko,” another quintessentially Los Lobos tune from 1992\. 

![Los Lobos bids farewell from the stage to the McCurdy Pavilion crowd on Monday night.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/a2/c6a241c6-69f5-450c-9fd7-6b170730e448/content/images/2026/09/Los-Lobos-together.jpeg)

**Los Lobos bids farewell to the McCurdy Pavilion crowd on Monday night. Photo by Diane Urbani de la Paz*

There’s an invisible cord connecting each of the musicians. They don’t need to do a lot of talking to one another on stage. These guys just know exactly what to do. Clearly, they love doing it. 

Lozano cradles his bass like a beloved companion. Berlin plays his saxophone like no one else. Rosas holds his maracas close to the microphone so we can hear the tasty sound. Pérez plays his jarana with fury. And Hidalgo stands tall like an elegant pastor preaching the gospel. 

“Don’t Worry Baby,” another classic from “How Will the Wolf Survive?,” stirred in some more rock’n’roll wisdom. “Don’t worry, baby, it’s gonna be all right,” Rosas purred, and I could not help but believe him. Music is medicine, especially live music, especially like this. 

Great things must come to an end, of course, and Los Lobos said their farewell after a rumbling, rich rendition of “Not Fade Away.” When the audience clamored for an encore, the band didn’t dally for long before returning to the stage. 

The night ended with a Norteamericano trio: “Cinnamon Girl,” written by Canadian Neil Young; “La Bamba,” a Mexican son jarocho tune popularized by Ricardo Valenzuela, and “Good Lovin’” from the Rascals, who came from New Jersey. 

Good lovin’: Los Lobos showered us with it.