The Tears of the Bull

Gil Gutiérrez composed this haunting song Lagrima del Toro in 2006 after reading an article about the murders of women in Ciudad Juarez. To date 1000 women including students, factory workers, shop clerks and prostitutes have been murdered and their bodies dumped in the desert. Hundreds more have simply vanished.

Music, movies, art and books have demanded justice for these women and their families. Amnesty International believes that this pattern of violence against women is complex and Mexican authorities have failed to prevent and punish those responsible. Since the murders began in 1993 the families of the victims have struggled tirelessly for justice and brought national and international attention to the issue.

Gil described the idea for this song like a tapestry that was woven over the course of a year. He designed a map of where he wanted to go with the notes and built the melody slowly to communicate the frustration, grief and powerlessness many feel about this issue. Gil on guitar was joined by Doc Severinsen on trumpet, Charlie Bisharat on violin, Jimmy Branly playing percussion, Eugenio Toussaint on piano and Kevin Thomas on bass before a sold out crowd at the Teatro Angela Peralta in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Special thanks to Gonzalo Cabrera who put this video together.


Lagrima del Toro is dedicated to the lost women

of Ciudad Juarez.