Quick Facts
Biography
Edmar Castañeda (born 1978 in Bogotá, Colombia) is a Colombian harpist, based in New York City. He performs his own compositions as well as tapping into native music of Colombia and music of Venezuela, as well as Joropo and music of Argentina, including Zamba.
He tours regularly as the leader of the Edmar Castañeda Trio, together with David Silliman on drums/percussion and Marshall Gilkes on trombone. He is also a band member for the Andrea Tierra Quartet whose members are Andrea Tierra on vocals, Sam Sadigursky on flute/clarinet/saxophone, and David Silliman.
The son of Colombian harp player, composer, singer, and teacher Pavelid Castañeda, Edmar Castañeda began playing the harp at the age of 13. In the mid 1990s he moved to New York, where he studied jazz trumpet, before resuming his playing of the harp.
He has performed with Paquito D'Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, John Scofield, Joe Locke, JLCO, John Patitucci, Giovanni Hidalgo, Lila Downs, Janis Siegel, Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban jazz big band, The United Nations Orchestra, Simón Diaz, and Samuel Torres, Hiromi Uehara, among other renowned musicians.
In 2006 he released his first solo album Cuarto de Colores. Entre Cuerdas followed in June 2009. His latest album, Double Portion, was released in March 2012.
Other Appearances
- “Hang On Mike” by Candy Butchers, 2004
- “Island Life” by Yerba Buena (band), July 26, 2005
- “La Marea" (The Tide) by Marta Topferova, March 8, 2005
- “La Cantina” by Lila Downs, April 4, 2006
- “Explorations: Classic Picante Regrooved” Various Artists, August 29, 2006
- “Alma Latina” by Arturo Romay, 2007
- “Melodía Verde”, by Andrea Tierra, 2007
- "Cuarto de Colores", 2009
- "Entre Cuerdas", 2009
- "Double Portion", 2012