From Colombia
Solo Harpist
Edmar Castaneda
with Cian Nugent (solo guitar)
Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey St
April 21, 20:00
Tickets €15 + booking fee
It may be our national symbol, but the harp’s footprint extends across the globe, especially in Latin America, where it arrived with the conquistadores but quickly found itself among the people as a conduit of folk tradition. In present day Colombia, this instrument so often perceived as genteel has met an artist who may permanently rewire our perception of the harp and it’s untapped potential. From Bogotá, Edmar Castaneda is a remarkable virtuoso, and he’s created a hybrid technique with a percussive drive that exploits Colombia’s traditional llanero harp to the full. Bass lines in one hand vie with tumultuous melodic passages and blocks of chords in the other to create music of extraordinary vitality. It’s a fusion of The Americas too, as the syncopated rhythms of Colombian joropo flamenco sonorities and Afro-Cuban grooves provide the foundation for Castaneda’s astounding jazz inflected improvisations. Appropriately, these days he’s based in New York where he mixes it with musicians like John Scofield, Paquito D’Riviera and Wynton Marsalis, but he’s back in Ireland for what will be a unique solo performance, the harp as you’ve never heard it before.
Guitarist Cian Nugent will open for Edmar.
In the past Cian has toured with people such as Jack Rose, Glenn Jones, Ben Reynolds, Nalle, The Family Elan, George Stavis, Jozef van Wissem, C Joynes, Peter Delaney, Thinguma*jigSaw and James Blackshaw throughout Europe and the United States. Cian can also be found playing bass in Sea Dog.
"Spare, simple playing that is rich with emotion and truly beautiful."
- Other Music
Visit Cian Nugent myspace
- Other Music
Visit Cian Nugent myspace
