The romantic trio's signature sound is characterized by three suave male voices, backed by two, and sometimes three, guitars, singing romance-drenched lyrics in lush, three-part harmony. The style rocketed to pan-Latin popularity in the late 1940s and 1950s, and Trio Los Tres Reyes is the last of the big-name Mexican trios to continue performing with the majority of its original members.

"The trío romántico is synonymous with intimacy" - lead singer Bebo Cárdenas

Romancing the Past is a brand-new recording of Los Tres Reyes classics , such as "ódiame", and new additions to the repertoire, such as "El Lunar de María".

Romancing the Past is the 36th release in the Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/Traditions series since 2002. The series, a co-production with the Smithsonian Latino Center, showcases the diverse musical heritage of the 50 million Latinos living in the USA.

Click here to watch videos of the recording process and purchase a CD or digital download.