Jorge Veliz Y Los Santiagueños

Jorge Veliz formed Los Santiagueños in 1953 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, with his brother Niño Veliz and the Mercado brothers, Alberto and Luis. They built their sound on traditional Argentine folk rhythms like chacareras and zambas, but what caught people's ear was how they handled contemporary themes in their lyrics. Their song 'A La Misma Hora Y En El Mismo Lugar' became one of their early signatures.

They kept working internationally during that period. Later, in the 1970s, the respected folklorist Juan Carlos Carabajal joined the lineup, which has included various members over the decades.

Their catalog grew to over forty albums, with songs like 'Amor Prohibido' and 'Abrazame Mujer' reflecting their focus on love, social issues, and everyday life. The music stayed grounded in folk forms but avoided becoming a museum piece, partly because of Veliz's direct, sometimes pointed writing.