Edmar Castaneda

[Jim Alfredson]

So I'm watching PBS and it's showing performances from the JVC Jazz Festival (I'm assuming in NYC). It just had a segment with Paquito D'Rivera and I'm kinda watching, kinda reading the laptop, digging on the Cuban grooves when all of sudden this dude takes off on this ridiculous solo... on harp.

Not harmonica, but harp. A quick Google search leads me to http://www.edmarcastaneda.com/live/

Wow. I'm a bit speechless. I'm sure marcello knows him since I see he'll be at the Jazz Standard with Joe Locke in January. I might just have to take a road trip for that.

[marcello]

Edmar is a phenomenon, and he swings too!

Joe is happy to play with him and see what happens. I think he's bringing the marimba also.

It should be wild.

Edited December 19, 2007 by marcello

[marcello]

Up for Edmar, that bad M/F:

[Rooster_Ties]

youtube - search_query=Edmar+Castaneda

Several to sample above (of varying quality).

First one I clicked on... (at random)

Edited December 20, 2007 by Rooster_Ties

[kh1958]

I saw most of a set by this fellow last night at the 55 Bar--a trio with flute and drums (Ari Hoenig)--I thought it was fantastic. An outrageous jazz adaptation of Columbian harp. He tuned the instrument after every song.

I see a couple CDs listed on amazon--has anyone heard them?

[Hardbopjazz]

Yes Edmar is a real talent. I've seen him 5 times and he's always gotten better each time.

I have both of his CDs. I really enjoy them.

[kh1958]

I ordered the most recent one this week.