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Edmar Castaneda
Edmar Castaneda was born in 1978, in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Since his move to the United States in 1994, Edmar has quite literally taken New York and the world stage by storm with the sheer force of his virtuosic command of the harp—revolutionizing the way audiences and critics alike consider an instrument commonly relegated to the “unusual category”. A master at realizing beautiful complexities of time, while skillfully drawing out lush colors and dynamic spirit, Edmar has been characterized as “almost a world unto himself” (The New York Times). The legendary Paquito D’Rivera, Edmar’s frequent collaborator, has remarked:
Edmar is... an enormous talent, he has the versatility and the enchanting charisma of a musician who has taken his harp out of the shadow to become one of the most original musicians from the Big Apple.
Not unlike his fellow rarified musicians that have transformed their lives and immediate circumstances through art, Edmar’s journey traces back to humble and altogether inspiring beginnings. The son of a musician and a mother who nurtured young Edmar’s obvious natural talents, he embraced the noble folkloric traditions of his native land. The “joropo” dance classes which he and his sister regularly attended became for him a master class in movement, accompanied by the harp. Even now, on stages across the globe, one notes how Edmar’s body seemingly engulfs his Colombian harp as he crafts almost unbelievable feats of cross-rhythms, layered with chordal nuances rivaling the most celebrated flamenco guitarist’s efforts. In the beginning I learned to play traditional folk music… I play “el arpa llanera” a Colombian folk harp. “El arpa llanera” ...means harp from the plains.
Edmar’s new disc, Entre Cuerdas, has caught the attention of reviewers and his burgeoning legion of fans. This new recording, which features Marshall Gilkes (trombone) and Dave Silliman (drums, percussion) as well as special guests Joe Locke (vibes), John Scofield (guitar), Andrea Tierra (vocals) and Samuel Torres (cajon), is his second as a leader, and also marks his ArtistShare debut.
...it’s hard to imagine the Colombian musician has much contemporary competition. That the harp sounds so natural in this context makes you wonder why so few have thought to utilize this many- stringed instrument as a viable lead instrument…”Jesus de Nazareth” ...is all Castaneda, an expression of regality that’s warm and tingly but appropriately spiritual, too. Jeff Tamarkin, JazzTimes
I believe it is a gift of God, playing the harp. There is one track on the album called “Jesus de Nazareth”. I worship God with my music.
Read moreTags
Edward Simon: 25 Years
by Angelo Leonardi
Al pubblico del jazz non piacciono molto le compilations ma questa del pianista Edward Simon è speciale. I diciassette brani del doppio CD sono stati scelti da lui--come bilancio e riflessione personale nel 25° anno della sua attività da leader--e forniscono una variopinta retrospettiva delle sue tappe musicali. «L'idea mi è venuta l'anno scorso (2019) quando ho compito 50 anni--ha detto al Columbia Daily Tribune--La raccolta è nata da uno spirito di celebrazione e dalla consapevolezza di quante cose siano ...
read moreEdward Simon: 25 Years
by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Edward Simon immigrated to the United States from his native Venezuela while still in his teens. He stayed, and carved out a successful career in music. His fiftieth birthday rolled around, and the artist decided it was time to take a look and listen back. In a musical journey that spans the titular 25 Years, Simon has crafted a lot of music, employing a Latin/jazz/classical approach with a seemingly effortless refinement, making sounds that are unfailingly engaging and beautiful. ...
read moreAJAZZGO Festival in Cali, Colombia
by Mark Holston
AJAZZGO Festival Cali, Colombia September 12-17, 2017 September is jazz festival month in the South American nation of Colombia. Four major cities--Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla--and Pasto, a smaller provincial municipality--stage well-oiled multi-day events stocked with international and regional jazz talent. The five festivals work collaboratively to bring major artists to the country, allowing them to perform in more than one locale on the same tour. Yet each festival is known for its own stylistic orientation. ...
read moreEdmar Castaneda: A World Of Music
by Ian Patterson
The harp may be the least common instrument in jazz/improvised music--even the humble kazoo gets more of a run out. Dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia, the harp in its various guises is common to nearly all cultures across the continents. Throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America the harp is an important element of folk music. The harp is common in Celtic music too, though in Europe it's perhaps more usually associated with the sedate airs of mediaeval ...
read moreEdmar Castaneda: Double Portion
by Dan Bilawsky
There is probably a greater chance of winning the lottery and being struck by lightning than building a career as a successful, world-renowned jazz Colombian harpist. Fortunately, Edmar Castaneda was more interested in pursuing his vision than studying statistics and probability. The Colombian-born harp phenom, who arrived in the United States in 1994, didn't have the benefit of following in the footsteps of others when it came to finding his way through jazz on his instrument of choice. He, however, ...
read moreEdmar Castaneda: Entre Cuerdas
by Russ Musto
Although jazz aficionados have become accustomed to the regular expansion of the music's vocabulary coming from the Caribbean and South America, virtually nothing in the history of the increasingly diverse genre known as “Latin jazz" has prepared audiences for the uniquely innovative sound of Edmar Castaneda. A native of Colombia, Castaneda plays “el arpa llanera," the folk harp commonly heard in his country's indigenous music, but there is nothing common about his virtuosic command or the music he performs. Possessing ...
read moreEdmar Castañeda Trio at the Jazz Standard
by Ernest Barteldes
Edmar Castañeda Trio with Joe Locke, Samuel Torres and Andrea Tierra Jazz Standard New York, New York December 22, 2009
A sold-out room warmly greeted harpist Edmar Castañeda's trio as they took the stage opening their set with the up-tempo “Entre Cuerdas," the title track off the leader's new album. The tune began with a Middle Eastern feel, then quickly took on a Latin American character. Castañeda exhibited impressive mastery (there is ...
read moreEdmar Castaneda World Ensemble - The Jazz Standard On August 11-12 - CD Release Gig
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
CD Release Gig! Live At The Jazz Standard Come and celebrate at the Jazz Standard on August 11th and 12th for the release party of the new album by the Edmar Castaneda World Ensemble. Experience these amazing musicians from all over the world who collaborated on this exciting new project—Live At The Jazz Standard. Featuring: Gregoire Maret: Harmonica; Marshall Gilkes: Trombone; Itai Kriss: Flute; Shlomi Cohen: Soprano Saxophone; Pablo Vergara: Piano; Rodrigo Villalon: Drums; David Silliman: Percussion. Special Guests: Andrea ...
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Jazz Harpist Edmar Castaneda Embarks On Six-date Irish Tour
Source:
All About Jazz
The harp is not without precedent in jazz but it’s unlikely anyone has ever played the harp quite like Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda. Irish audiences are in for a special treat when Castaneda embarks on a six-date tour of the country between 20th and 27th October, culminating in a performance at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The harpist’s 2006 debut recording Cuartos de Colores fused folkloric elements typically associated with the arpa llanera from Venezuela and Colombia with jazz, but ...
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Harpist/Composer Edmar Castaneda Releases "Double Portion" Featuring Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Miguel Zena^3n from Arpa Y Voz Records.
Source:
Two for the Show Media
Edmar Castaneda's new album may be titled Double Portion (Arpa Y Vaz Records, Street Date April 17th, 2012), but don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting more of this sumptuous meal after you've tasted it. Castaneda, who has virtually reinvented the role of the harp in jazz singlehandedly within the past several years, explores fertile new territory on his latest release, fusing the sounds of his native Colombia with the energy of his adopted home of New York City. ...
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Edmar Castaneda with Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Miguel Zenon CD Release Performance at the Blue Note NYC - 3/6-7/12.
Source:
Two for the Show Media
Grammy-nominated harpist Edmar Castaneda will celebrate his sophomore release Double Portion (Arpa Y Vaz, 2012) at the Blue Note on March 6 and 7. The record's title refers to Castaneda's attempt at fusing the music of his native Columbia with the sounds of New York, as well as his use of both the Colombian folk arpa llanera and the traditional classical harp. One each of the recording's ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions, Castaneda plays in solo or ...
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Harpist/Bandleader/Composer Edmar Castaneda Releases New CD Titled “Entre Cuerdas” on Artist Share
Source:
Two for the Show Media
If you have not heard about jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda - it is time you do. Castaneda is one of the most electrifying and innovative artists to come along in some time. Jazz harp? - Yes that is right –jazz harp. Castenada takes a whole new two-handed approach to the instrument and the genre itself. One listen to this release and you will see why he is becoming one of the most celebrated artists in jazz. The new CD titled ...
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Edmar Castaneda Quartet at Twins in D.C. Aug. 31-Sept. 1
Source:
The Cinarae Group
A jazz harpist of imposing talent, Edmar Castaneda transforms the harp into a lead instrument to phenomenal effect. He has performed with such varied jazz stars as Paquito D'Rivera, John Scofield, Pablo Zinger, Dave Samuels, Trio De Paz, Giovani Hidalgo , Lila Downs, Janis Siegel, The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Castaneda's style is fascinatingly percussive, producing cross-rhythms like a drummer, while picking, smashing chordal flourishes like a flamenco guitarist and collating bebop and Colombian music, he is practically ...
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Latin Jazz in DC! Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins Features the Edmar Castaneda Quartet, Fri., Aug. 31 & Sat., Sept.1, 8 & 10PM
Source:
The Cinarae Group
A jazz harpist of imposing talent, Edmar Castaneda transforms the harp into a lead instrument to phenomenal effect. He has performed with such varied jazz stars as Paquito D'Rivera, John Scofield, Pablo Zinger, Dave Samuels, Trio De Paz, Giovani Hidalgo , Lila Downs, Janis Siegel, The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Castaneda's style is fascinatingly percussive, producing cross-rhythms like a drummer, while picking, smashing chordal flourishes like a flamenco guitarist and collating bebop and Colombian music, he is practically ...
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The Piazzolla Legacy: Tango & Beyond! Pablo Ziegler Quartet + Edmar Castaneda at the Blue Note 6/21-22
Source:
All About Jazz
Please come to see these wonderful artists in a project I was pleased to put together for THE BLUE NOTE! Pat Philips, Concert Producer World's Finest Jazz Club & Restaurant, 131 West 3rd Street, NYC 10012 www.bluenotejazz.com BLUE NOTE presents The Piazzolla Legacy: Tango & Beyond! PABLO ZIEGLER QUARTET + Swinging Jazz Harpist EDMAR CASTANEDA June 21 – 22 ~ 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. New York, NY, May 25, 2005 – Get set for Latin fire and romance June ...
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The Piazzolla Legacy: Tango & Beyond! Pablo Ziegler Quartet + Edmar Castaneda at the Blue Note 6/21-22
Source:
All About Jazz
June 2, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES For Immediate Release Contact: Carolyn McClair Info@CarolynMcClairPR (212) 721-3341 Please come to see these wonderful artists in a project I was pleased to put together for THE BLUE NOTE! Pat Philips, Concert Producer World's Finest Jazz Club & Restaurant, 131 West 3rd Street, NYC 10012 www.bluenotejazz.com BLUE NOTE presents The Piazzolla Legacy: Tango & Beyond! PABLO ZIEGLER QUARTET + Swinging Jazz Harpist EDMAR CASTANEDA June 21 – 22 ~ 8:00 p.m. ...
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—THE NEW YORK TIMES
"Edmar is.. an enormous talent, he has the versatility and the enchanting charisma of a musician who has taken his harp out of the shadow to become one of the most original musicians from the Big Apple."
—PAQUITO D'RIVERA
"The most amazing and well received new sensation for Panamanian jazz fans was Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda." —THE PANAMA NEWS
"the phenomenal Columbian harpist Edmar Castaneda, whose technically astounding approach to the instrument normally associated with classical music has been registering with scenesters over the past year. Covering independent, heavily grooving bass lines with his left hand while chording and also running counterpoint melodies and dazzling triplet figures with his right hand (a kind of Charlie Hunter or Joe Passian approach to the harp),... —BILL MILKOWSKI, JAZZ TIMES
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Edmar Castaneda
Instrument: Harp
Born: March 31, 1978
Management: Music Works International
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
