Our Bio
A Musical Journey Through Argentinian Landscapes
Traditional folk melodies and rhythms woven with jazz and chamber influences, creating a captivating and innovative experience for all audiences.
El Ceibo (pronounced Elle Say-Boh) is a dynamic Argentinian folk music group founded in 2019 by Argentinian-Canadian director and percussionist Patricio Llovet. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, our five-piece core ensemble is committed to preserving and reimagining the diverse musical traditions of Argentina. Featuring instruments like guitar, charango, vocals, violin, and traditional percussion, we seamlessly weave together the rich tapestry of Argentinian musical textures with jazz harmonic and rhythmic explorations and a chamber music approach to performance. Our independently released EP (2022) gained airplay on CBC Radio 1 and Jazz FM, leading to major performances, such as at the Toronto Jazz Festival and the Living Arts Centre.
What drives us as artists is the deep cultural responsibility to keep our roots alive while creating space for this repertoire within Canada’s multicultural music scene—a space where Argentinian folk is still vastly underrepresented. As one of the very few groups in Canada dedicated to Argentinian folk music, and the only one in the province that specifically showcases the traditions of zambas, chacareras, cuecas, and other styles, with original arrangements, we feel a strong responsibility to represent and share this tradition.
Our ensemble is a collective of professional musicians from both Latin American and Canadian backgrounds. Our live shows often include storytelling and education around the cultural history, language, and social context behind the music—a way of honouring the tradition while building connections with new audiences. We aim to contribute to the rich diversity of Canada’s arts landscape through performance and education.
From festival stages and conferences, including Folk Alliance International, to educational settings, El Ceibo continues to celebrate and innovate within the Argentinian folk tradition. Check out our music and socials to stay connected with our latest news and upcoming show dates!
Highlights & Achievements
Features & Airplay
- Big City Small World - CBC Radio 1
- Fresh Air - CBC Radio 1
- Cafe Latino - Jazz FM
- OLG First Plays - Toronto Jazz Festival
- Tracks from abroad - CIUT 89.5
- Refolkus - CKCU 93.1
Studio Recordings
EP - El Ceibo. Recorded in October 2021, released in January 2022
Performance Highlights
- Toronto Jazz Fest - Toronto, ON.
- Live from the Rock Folk Festival - Red Rock, ON.
- Folk Alliance International - Montreal, QC.
- Living Arts Centre - Mississauga, ON.
- Toronto Folk Festival - Toronto, ON.
- Aga Khan Museum - Toronto, ON.
- Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives - Brampton, ON.
- Jazz Bistro - Toronto, ON.
What they're saying about El Ceibo
“I'm not sure if there are any groups in Canada who integrate chacarera, which is a popular folk music style from Argentina, in their music but El Ciebo does it beautifully. They blend traditional Argentinian rhythms with contemporary Western influences to create a sound that’s distinctly their own. And they're great live!”
— Errol Nazareth, host of Frequencies on CBC Music, and host of Big City Small World on CBC Radio One
“El Ceibo has a dynamic live set that is a can't-miss! Easy banter, incredible musicianship and vocal performances, all steeped in the rich folklore of Argentina. They are a must-see.”
— Phillip Vonesh, Toronto Folk Festival
“El Ceibo is an excellent musical project, ideal to connect with Argentinian music, which is hardly known abroad. Seeing them live is also a way to be immediately transported to Andean lands.”
— Silvia Véjar, Buenas Tardes Canadá
