LOS GAITEROS DE SAN JACINTO was  established in the mid 1950s, they undertook their first tour throughout Colombia, under the leadershipof folklorists Manuel and Delia Zapata Olivella. In 1958, they toured internationally to China and Japan, and to Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and other European countries.

 

In 1968, they Performed at the Olympic Cultural Games in Mexico. Their touring, the exceptional quality of their musicians across generations, and the fact that they are one of the few gaita ensembles whose music has been commercially produced have made them the most important musical group of gaitas and Cumbia in Colombia and worldwide.

 

Their album, Un Fuego de Sangre Pura (Fire in the Blood), from the Smithsonian Folkways Series Recordings of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., won the Latin Grammy Award 2007 for Best Traditional Album competing against highly recognized artists such as Muñequitos de Matanzas from Cuba. Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, a century of tradition inspired by the passion of a lifetime.

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In 2020 Los Gaiteros were nominated for the Latin Grammy for the best traditional album.