Edmar Castaneda at Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Edmar Castaneda’s instrument – the Columbian harp – is very much an anomaly in the world of jazz. Nonetheless, his virtuosic mastery of the harp, along with his impressive compositional output transcends all categories, erasing any and all cultural barriers to form new musical alliances. But Castaneda’s ability to juggle polyrhythms with complex chord changes is only part of his creative arsenal. To many of his admirers, including reedman Paquito D’Rivera, Castaneda’s unique approach has redefined the harp’s place in contemporary music. The innovative string man has recorded and performed with a host of jazz masters, including John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis, John Patitucci, Marcus Miller, and Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band...

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Edmar Castaneda’s instrument – the Columbian harp – is very much an anomaly in the world of jazz. Nonetheless, his virtuosic mastery of the harp, along with his impressive compositional output transcends all categories, erasing any and all cultural barriers to form new musical alliances. But Castaneda’s ability to juggle polyrhythms with complex chord changes is only part of his creative arsenal. To many of his admirers, including reedman Paquito D’Rivera, Castaneda’s unique approach has redefined the harp’s place in contemporary music. The innovative string man has recorded and performed with a host of jazz masters, including John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis, John Patitucci, Marcus Miller, and Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Castaneda’s most recent recording, Double Portion, has received rave reviews.

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