Hernán Gamboa "El Cuatro de Venezuela"

Hernán Gamboa, affectionately known as *"El Cuatro de Venezuela"*, was a legendary figure in Venezuelan folk music and a master of the cuatro, the country’s iconic four-stringed instrument. Born in 1946, Gamboa first gained fame as a founding member of the beloved vocal and folk ensemble Serenata Guayanesa, where his intricate cuatro playing and warm harmonies became synonymous with Venezuela’s traditional joropos, aguinaldos, and parrandas. After leaving the group in 1984, he embarked on a prolific solo career, releasing albums like *Mis Joropos* and *Valses Venezolanos* that celebrated the soulful rhythms and storytelling of his homeland. His music, including heartfelt releases like *Venezuela Linda* and *Sentir de Mi Tierra*, blended technical brilliance with deep cultural pride, earning him a permanent place in Venezuela’s musical heart. Gamboa passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on as a guardian of Venezuelan folklore and a virtuoso who made the cuatro sing with unmatched passion.