Edmar Castañeda & Andrea Tierra Duo / Jazz Latinoamericano (4)

Edmar Castañeda & Andrea Tierra Duo / Jazz Latinoamericano. 

Presented by Terraza 7.

Date: Saturday, January 27th, 2024

Time:  8:00 pm (one set only)

$25 Cover Charge for Mezzanine Seating.

Featuring:

• Edmar Castañeda / Harp
• Andrea Tierra / Vocals

Experience a captivating Jazz Latinoamericano evening with the renowned duo, Edmar Castañeda and Andrea Tierra. Edmar, a masterful harpist, blends traditional jazz with global styles, known for his contributions to Disney's "Encanto". Andrea, hailing from Medellín, mesmerizes with her blend of Latin rhythms and evocative poetry. Join them for a musical journey of depth and diversity.

About Edmar Castañeda:

Edmar Castañeda was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the category of "Best Latin Jazz Album" for his album, "Family." In the fall of 2021, Castañeda's performance will be showcased in Disney's latest film, "Encanto" (set to release on November 24, 2021). The film features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Castañeda contributes to the soundtrack while also serving as a music consultant.

After moving to the United States in 1994, Colombian-born Edmar Castañeda rapidly established himself as the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso. His talent bridges the jazz tradition with a rich tapestry of styles and genres. More impressively, he shines a spotlight on an often-overlooked instrument: the harp. With innovative technique and heartfelt creativity, Castañeda has worked with music giants such as Wynton Marsalis, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ricki Lee Jones, Hiromi, Pedrito Martinez, Marcus Miller, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ivan Lins, The Yellowjackets, Paco De Lucia, and Paquito D’Rivera, to name a few.

Castañeda's exceptional prowess is frequently compared to renowned musicians like Yo-Yo Ma. He consistently captivates audiences, fellow musicians, and critics. NPR’s “Fresh Air” comments on his unparalleled technique, while The New York Times emphasizes how he modernizes jazz, keeping it grounded in its cultural origins. Moses Sumney, discussing Castañeda's performance on NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts," praises his transformative approach to the harp.

Throughout his career, Castañeda has released seven lauded albums, including "Cuarto de Colores," "Entre Cuerdas," "Double Portion," "Live at the Jazz Standard," "Live In Montreal," "Harp vs. Harp," and "Family." His newest project, "Viento Sur," showcases a collaboration with a nine-person ensemble of esteemed global musicians from countries spanning Switzerland to Colombia. Several compositions from "Viento Sur" were commissioned by American Chamber Music as part of the "New Jazz Works Grant."

Not limited to albums, Castañeda's discography as a bandleader also features symphonic works with renowned orchestras like the Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Clássica de Espinho, the São Paulo Jazz Symphony Orchestra, and pieces for the Israel Camerata Jerusalem and the Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia.

Castañeda's introduction to the jazz community was facilitated by Paquito D’Rivera, who mentored the budding harpist. D’Rivera has since lauded him for his unmatched versatility and charisma. As the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung succinctly puts it, "The Colombian plays the harp like hardly anyone else on earth."

About Andrea Tierra:

Hailing from Medellín, Colombia, singer-songwriter Andrea Tierra crafts an innovative fusion of popular Latin-American rhythms, seamlessly blending them with the poignant essence of her own poetry. Each performance becomes a stage for her lyrical creations. While her songs often carry progressive themes and political stances against global injustices, Andrea's contralto voice equally resonates in contemporary love ballads and new-age compositions.

In her latest project, Andrea introduces a quartet that incorporates exotic instruments, including the Colombian Tiple. This ensemble transports listeners on a poetic journey across Latin American rhythms such as Cumbia, Bambuco, and Joropo from Colombia; Zamba from Argentina; Lando from Peru; Bossa Nova and Samba from Brazil; Flamenco from Spain. This diverse musical palette is further enriched by the distinct New York style.

Andrea's artistic inclination is rooted in family traditions that have nurtured her since childhood. At a young age, she joined her father's theater company as a singer and actress, touring extensively across the United States to widespread acclaim. In 2000, Andrea relocated to New York, marking the beginning of her solo singing career. Here, she formed her own band, gracing the stages of the city's most celebrated bars and restaurants.

2006 saw the release of Andrea's debut poetry book titled "Canto" (Singing). Four years later, she unveiled her second poetic collection, "Mujer en Sol Mayor". This work celebrates the resilience of womanhood and introduces an innovative blend of Andrea's Colombian heritage, American influences, and personal experiences as an immigrant and New Yorker. Musically, Andrea has released two albums: "Melodía Verde" in 2007 and "Lluvia de Amores" in 2018.

Internationally recognized, Andrea Tierra has performed across Europe, the US, and Latin America, championing the rich culture and traditions of her native Colombia. She has graced prominent stages including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz Standard, and Blue Note. Additionally, she has showcased her talent at renowned festivals like Womad in New Zealand and Australia, Rio Loco in France, and the Montreal Jazz Festival, among others.