SINGERS  /  MUSICIANS


Edmar
Castañeda

 
contact:
edharpist@hotmail.com
 
 

Latin American Harp Festival 2008


Harpist, band leader and composer, was born in Bogotá, Colombia where he started playing the Colombian harp at age thirteen.  His unique style, combining Latin jazz with traditional Colombian music, has earned Edmar a firm place in the international jazz scene. By transforming the harp into a lead instrument, producing cross-rhythms like a drummer, smashing chordal flourishes like a flamenco guitarist and collating bebop and Colombian music, he is practically a world unto himself. A fascinatingly percussive style, he plucks dynamic basslines almost invisibly while picking out melodies with his right hand. Edmar moved to the United States in 1994 and was quickly recognized for his unmatched style and sound.  He has performed with Paquito D'Rivera, John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis JLCO, John Patitucci, Pablo Zinger, Dave Samuels, Trio De Paz, Giovani Hidalgo, Lila Downs, Janis Siegel, Chico O'farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, DJango Reinhardt NY Festival, The United Nation Orchestra, among other renowned musicians.  He also tours regularly as leader of the Edmar Castañeda Trio, together with trombone and drums.

Website: www.edmarcastaneda.com