Johan Roa/Letzing Vallenato
Johan Roa/Letzing Vallenato
![Line of six men posing in matching blue shirts that read Johan Roa and one woman in white blouse with two men sitting in front holding an accordion. A sign at the bottom reads Letzing Vallenato Group.](https://files.mta.info/s3fs-public/styles/large/public/2021-08/Letzing%20Vallenato%20band%20LB.jpg?itok=52Ofd-J9)
Born in Colombia into a family of musicians, Johan Roa grew up listening to poetry and vallenatos, a local folk music. He recorded his first CD, “Tu Primera Vez,” in 2005 in Colombia with the musicians Hollman Salazar and Jose Vasquez. His second CD, “Falling Rain,” came out in 2008. He has appeared on several television programs, including “Total Access” on Channel 47 Telemundo and Univision Channel 41.
An established performer in the vallenato genre, Roa performs regularly throughout the United States. He has participated in Colombian festivals across the tri-state area and shared the stage with such artists as Lizandro Meza, El Torito, and Elvis Martinez El Camaron. Roa recently completed a new work, “Conquistando Fronteras,” which features 10 original vallenato songs and a bonus bachata.