Gilberto Alejandro Durán Diaz, known to all as Alejo Durán or "El Negro Grande" (the great black Man) (February 9, 1919 – November 15, 1989) was a Colombian vallenato music traditional composer, singer and accordionist. Duran was born in

El Paso El Paso (; "the pass") is a city in and the seat of El Paso County in the western corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population of the city from the U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the 23rd-largest city in the U.S., the s ...

, Cesar and for most of his life he worked as a cowboy. He is notorious for lyrically "self-flagellating" himself in his songs. In 1968 Duran gained notoriety for winning the first version of the "

Vallenato Legend Festival The Vallenato Legend Festival ( es, Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata) is one of the most important musical festivals in Colombia. The festival features a vallenato music contests for best performer of accordion, caja vallenata and guacharaca ...

" in the city of

Valledupar Valledupar () is a city and municipality in northeastern Colombia. It is the capital of Caesar Department. Its name, ''Valle de Upar'' (Valley of Upar), was established in honor of the Amerindian cacique who ruled the valley; ''Cacique Upar''. T ...

and is often cited as one of the best Vallenato musicians of all times. He died in

Montería Montería () is a municipality and city located in northern Colombia and is the capital of the Department of Córdoba. The city is located away from the Caribbean sea, by the Sinú River. The city and region are known for their distinct cultur ...

, Córdoba. Colombian musician Carlos Vives did

cover Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of co ...

versions of his songs. Popular songs he wrote include "Altos del Rosario", "Pedazo de Acordeón," "Fidelina," and "La Cachucha Bacana".

References

1919 births 1989 deaths Vallenato musicians Colombian accordionists People from Cesar Department 20th-century Colombian male singers {{Colombia-musician-stub