La Negra Graciana

Nicknamed "La Negra Graciana" due to her African heritage, harpist and vocalist Graciana Silva is a treasure of Mexican song jarocho from her native Veracruz. Born in the 1930s, she began playing the harp at 10 but would not record her first album until 1995, preferring to stay close to home and maintain an active performing career with her father and brothers. She has been dubbed the "First Lady of son jarocho," and much like her Cape Verdian counterpart Cesaria Evora would wait until her 60s to receive worldwide acclaim.