C4 Trio: Venezuelan Cuatro MastersComplete Artist Profile
C4 Trio

C4 Trio

Venezuelan Cuatro Masters

Biography

C4 Trío is one of the most innovative and original musical ensembles to emerge from the Venezuelan and Latin American music scene. Founded in 2005 Jorge Glem, Edward Ramírez, and Héctor Molina, the group has revolutionized the approach to the cuatro, Venezuela’s national instrument. With their unusual formation of three Venezuelan cuatros and an electric bass (added later), they have achieved a unique sound deeply rooted in Venezuelan popular traditions yet expanded with elements of jazz, world music, and contemporary styles.

The name “C4” represents not only their instrument of choice (Cuatro) but also embodies their artistic philosophy: four strings, three cuatros, and boundless creativity. This innovative ensemble has received multiple Latin Grammy awards and nominations, including winning Best Instrumental Album for “Tembla” (2024) and Best Folk Album for their Christmas record “C4 Suena a Navidad” (2023).

For over a decade, the members of C4 Trío have maintained an intense performance schedule, bringing the versatility and universality of the Venezuelan cuatro to important stages throughout the Americas and Europe. They have collaborated with numerous renowned artists across diverse musical genres, consistently surprising audiences with their virtuosic performances, creative arrangements, and the remarkable variety of sounds they extract from the Venezuelan cuatro.

Today, C4 Trío consists of the three founding cuatro virtuosos—Jorge Glem, Edward Ramírez, and Héctor Molina—joined bassist Rodner Padilla. Together, they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this traditional instrument while honoring its rich cultural heritage.

Musical Journey

The C4 Trío story began in 2005 when three young virtuosos of the Venezuelan cuatro—Jorge Glem, Edward Ramírez, and Héctor Molina—united their talents to explore new possibilities for their instrument. What started as experimental sessions soon developed into a revolutionary approach to traditional Venezuelan music, breaking conventions while maintaining profound respect for cultural roots.

Their self-titled debut album “C4 Trío” (2006) gained immediate attention for its innovative arrangements and technical mastery. By 2009, they expanded their sound with the addition of bassist Rodner Padilla, establishing what would become their signature quartet format. Their collaborative spirit has led to projects with diverse artists ranging from traditional Venezuelan singers to international stars.

C4 Trio performing
Key milestones in their career
  • 2005: Formation of C4 Trío Jorge Glem, Edward Ramírez, and Héctor Molina
  • 2006: Release of debut album “C4 Trío”
  • 2009: Bassist Rodner Padilla joins the group
  • 2012: Release of “Entre Manos,” expanding their musical vocabulary
  • 2013: “Gualberto + C4” receives Latin Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album
  • 2014: Album “De Repente” with Rafael “Pollo” Brito wins Latin Grammy for Best Sound Engineering
  • 2018: “Pa’ Fuera” collaboration with Desorden Público receives Grammy nomination
  • 2019: “Tiempo al Tiempo” with Luis Enrique earns Latin Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album
  • 2022: Release of “Back to 4,” returning to their instrumental roots
  • 2023: “C4 Suena a Navidad” wins Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album
  • 2024: “Tembla” collaboration with Hamilton de Holanda wins Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album

Discography

Listen
  • Tembla (2024) Collaboration with Hamilton de Holanda that won the Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album.
  • C4 Suena a Navidad (2023) Their first Christmas album, bringing their distinctive style to traditional Venezuelan holiday music. Won Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album.
  • Back To 4 (2022) A return to their instrumental roots, showcasing the evolution of their sound and technical mastery of the cuatro.
  • Tiempo al Tiempo (2019) Collaboration with Grammy winner Luis Enrique that received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
  • Pa’ Fuera (2018) Collaboration with the ska band Desorden Público that was nominated for the 60th Grammy Award.
  • De Repente (2013) Collaboration with Venezuelan singer Rafael “Pollo” Brito that won a Latin Grammy for Best Sound Engineering.
  • Entre Manos (2012) Their second album that expanded their musical vocabulary and cemented their reputation for innovation.
  • C4 Trío (2006) Debut album that established their groundbreaking approach to the Venezuelan cuatro.
Career evolution: C4 Trio’s discography spans almost two decades, showing remarkable growth and innovation. Their journey began with pure instrumental works highlighting the cuatro, then expanded to include collaborations with vocalists from diverse genres. Their more recent albums demonstrate maturity and technical refinement, while maintaining the exploratory spirit that has defined them since their formation. Their Grammy recognition confirms their status as preeminent ambassadors of Venezuelan music on the global stage.

Live Performances

C4 Trio is renowned for their captivating live performances, where their virtuosic command of the Venezuelan cuatro and creative arrangements shine. Their concerts blend technical brilliance with infectious energy, whether performing in intimate venues or on prestigious international stages. Every performance is a vibrant journey through Venezuelan musical traditions reimagined with contemporary influences.

C4 Trío performing “Coroticos”, an original composition Jorge Glem
C4 Trío’s innovative take on The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” at Sofar London
The quartet’s performances demonstrate how the Venezuelan cuatro can transcend its traditional roles, revealing its potential as a versatile instrument capable of expressing diverse musical languages while maintaining its distinctive voice and cultural identity.

Musical Abilities

C4 Trío stands out in the Latin American music landscape for their exceptional mastery of the Venezuelan cuatro and their ability to reimagine this traditional instrument’s possibilities. Their collective musical abilities have redefined what can be achieved with this humble four-stringed instrument.

  • Technical virtuosity – Each member possesses extraordinary command of the cuatro, employing advanced techniques that push the instrument’s expressive capabilities
  • Rhythmic innovation – The group excels at complex polyrhythms and intricate time signatures, maintaining Venezuelan traditional patterns while adding contemporary twists
  • Harmonic sophistication – Their arrangements feature rich harmonic structures that blend traditional Venezuelan forms with jazz-influenced chord progressions
  • Improvisational skill – All members demonstrate remarkable improvisational abilities, blending structure with spontaneity in their performances
  • Collaborative versatility – Their capacity to adapt their sound to work with diverse artists across multiple genres showcases their flexibility as performers

What makes C4 Trío truly special is not just their individual proficiency, but the remarkable musical chemistry they share. Their performances exhibit an intuitive connection allowing them to anticipate each other’s musical choices, creating a cohesive sound that balances technical complexity with emotional resonance.

Artistic Style

C4 Trío has developed a distinctive artistic approach that has revolutionized the perception of the Venezuelan cuatro:

  • Fusion of traditional Venezuelan forms (joropo, merengue, vals) with elements of jazz, classical, and world music
  • Innovative playing techniques that extend the sonic possibilities of the cuatro beyond its conventional use
  • Creative arrangements that transform both original compositions and well-known works from other genres
  • A balance between virtuosity and emotional expressiveness that appeals to both musicians and general audiences
  • Exploration of the cuatro as a universal instrument capable of adapting to diverse musical contexts
  • Rhythmic complexity that incorporates traditional Venezuelan patterns within contemporary frameworks
“C4 Trío mixes elements of traditional music, jazz, pop, world music, and Latin music creating a unique sound with their unusual format of three Venezuelan cuatros and an electric bass.” — Description of their artistic approach

Watch C4 Trio

Watch full performance: C4 Trío – Millennium Stage (January 18, 2020)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Venezuelan cuatro and how is it different from other string instruments?
The cuatro is a small, four-stringed instrument that is the national instrument of Venezuela. Similar in appearance to a small guitar, it differs from other string instruments in its tuning (traditionally A-D-F#-B), size (smaller than a guitar but larger than a ukulele), and playing techniques. The cuatro is traditionally used in Venezuelan folk music, particularly in styles like joropo, merengue, and vals. What makes C4 Trio revolutionary is how they’ve expanded the cuatro’s role beyond its traditional accompaniment function to become a versatile lead instrument capable of complex harmonies and rhythms.
How did C4 Trio form and develop their unique style?
C4 Trío formed in 2005 when Jorge Glem, Edward Ramírez, and Héctor Molina—three cuatro players with classical and folk training—began experimenting with new approaches to the instrument. They developed their distinctive style through years of musical exploration, combining their deep knowledge of Venezuelan traditional music with influences from jazz, classical, and world music. The addition of bassist Rodner Padilla around 2009 completed their signature sound. Their approach emerged from a desire to show the cuatro’s potential beyond its conventional role, developing new techniques and arrangements that highlight the instrument’s versatility while honoring its cultural roots.
What awards and recognition has C4 Trio received?
C4 Trío has received significant international recognition, including multiple Latin Grammy awards and nominations. In 2024, they won the Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album for “Tembla,” their collaboration with Brazilian musician Hamilton de Holanda. In 2023, they won the Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album for “C4 Suena a Navidad.” Their album “De Repente” with Rafael “Pollo” Brito won a Latin Grammy for Best Sound Engineering in 2014. Additionally, they’ve received Grammy nominations for collaborations like “Pa’ Fuera” with Desorden Público (2018) and “Tiempo al Tiempo” with Luis Enrique (2019). Beyond awards, they are widely recognized as innovative ambassadors of Venezuelan music globally.
How has C4 Trio influenced Venezuelan music and beyond?
C4 Trío has had a profound impact on Venezuelan music elevating the cuatro from a primarily accompanying instrument to a versatile lead instrument capable of complex musical expression. Their innovative techniques and arrangements have inspired a new generation of cuatro players and expanded the international recognition of this traditional instrument. By blending Venezuelan musical forms with global influences, they’ve created a musical bridge connecting their cultural heritage with contemporary audiences worldwide. Their collaborative spirit, working with artists across diverse genres, has helped introduce Venezuelan musical traditions to new audiences and contexts, establishing the cuatro as an instrument with universal potential.
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