ECHO PARK, Calif. - Slow, melodic and sentimental, just some of the ways to describe the bolero. Like many romantic genres of music, the bolero tells stories of love.

“My dad listened to boleros for as long as I can, my grandparents listened to boleros,” said musician Martha Gonzalez.

For Gonzalez, the bolero has been part of her family history. You may know her from the Grammy Award-winning band, 'Quetzal,' a Chicano rock band from Los Angeles.

On this night she’s practicing with some of the most respected musicians in Los Angeles to kick off the 4th annual Boleros de Noche concert series in Los Angeles. 

“I’m performing with musicians that I’ve known for many years. That I’ve worked with in perhaps other sort of projects and this is the first time we’re really working together, said Gonzalez.

Performing isn’t her only love. She’s also an associate professor at Scripps College in Claremont, specializing in Chicano/Latino studies.

Currently, she's teaching a class on the influence women have had on rock music. On the college's website, she’s described as an 'Artivista,' a hybrid of artist and activist.

As she prepares for her performance, she puts her own twist on the genre that originated in Cuba and gained popularity in Mexico and Latin America.

“This is actually the first time I’m really dedicating an entire set as a singer songwriter or musician to in an actual bolero set, so I’m really excited to just focus on the form," she said.

The Boleros de Noche series will include two more concerts, one on June 16th at the Downey Theatre, and another on September 15th at the Ford Theatre in Hollywood.\