Celebrated Jazz Harpist Edmar Castaneda

Also starring Rodrigo Vilalon on drums. Edmar Castañeda stands quite apart from any of the others, current or past, because he has been born and bred upon the culture of “the land of a thousand rhythms”, which refers, of course, to Colombia. Thus, when he unleashes his virtuosity onto music that is informed by both what is rhythmically germane to Colombia, but inflected by the idioms of Jazz listeners are in for a panchromatic treat. This is true no matter what he plays. Melodic, harmonic and rhythmic inventions tumble with shimmering radiance ignited by the combustion of his thumbs and fingers on the upright strings.

Edmar Castañeda (born 1978) is a Colombian harpist. He performs his own compositions as well as tapping into native music of Colombia and Venezuela. Castañeda’s father was Pavelid Castañeda, a harpist, singer, and teacher. Edmar Castañeda began playing the harp at the age of 13. In the mid 1990s he moved to New York City and studied jazz trumpet before returning to the harp. In 2006 he released his first solo album, Cuarto de Colores. He is a winner of the Jazz Journalists’ Award for Player of Instruments Rare in Jazz.