Nafer Durán is celebrated as a living legend of vallenato music in Colombia. A renowned accordionist, he stood alongside his brother Alejo and many others as one of the pioneers of this musical genre that embodies the soul of Colombia.
Nafer Duran, a Vallenato pioneer
Nafer Durán was born on December 26, 1932, and is a native of El Paso were the festival is held. He is widely known by fans and people in El Paso, as “Naferito” or “Rey Vallenato” (King Vallenato) for his skillful style of accordion playing.
He is part of a vallenato dynasty, as he is the younger brother of Alejo Duran, who he himself is part of the Duran lineage that helped shape the sound, feel and style of vallenato as we know it today. “Naferito” had received previous honors, as he was crowned “Rey Vallenatio” at the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata in Valledupar in 1976 and is a two‑time winner of the Festival Cuna de Acordeones in Villanueva, La Guajira.
Duran is best known for his use of the minor key, while his compositions tend to blend romance with parranda rhythms. He has also come to be known as one of the best mentors in the country for young accordionists. Some of his best works include Historia del Vallenato en el Siglo XX, Vol. 2 from 1955, Negrita Brava (2014), featuring hits like “Negrita Brava,” “Lolita,” “Vivo Pensando,” and “Las Mujeres,” “Dos Cartas” and “Adiós Adiós.” As is common with vallenato songs, his work has been covered by other more contemporary legends of the genre like Diomedes Diaz and Silvestre Dangond.
Duran honored at prestigious accordion Festival
Nafer Durán was recently honored at the Pedazo de Acordeón Festival in El Paso, Cesar—an annual celebration held every April.
The festival originated as part of the Fiesta de San Marcos Evangelista and was created to commemorate the legacy of vallenato pioneer Alejo Durán, Nafer’s brother. Over time, it has evolved into a multi-day folkloric fair in the heart of El Paso, where amateur and professional accordionists showcase their talents.
Organized by the local government and the Fundación Festival Pedazo de Acordeón, the event draws musicians and aficionados from across Cesar and neighboring departments, offering both a platform for emerging talent and a festive prelude to the larger Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata in Valledupar.
In an interview with ColombiaOne at El Paso, Cesar, Nafer Duran said, “I offer my gratitude in my few words because I have no other way to give back or repay what they have done for me by granting me this recognition. This great honor they have bestowed on my folklore and my art is a true treasure, because no artist can emerge without an audience or good relationships.”
He also explained what sets apart accordionists from other musicians, saying, “We have always been natural accordionists, so we thank God for the privilege of having our musical style recorded.” He added that, “The accordion we play is purely instinctive—there’s no sheet music of any kind—and that’s why each accordionist develops a completely different style.”
Now in his 90s, Duran is surrounded by family–having fathered 22 children–and is still an active participant in folkloric festivals and performances like the Pedazo de Accordion festival.