Latin American Rhythms Night
Flushing Town Hall will celebrate NYC’s vibrant Colombian music scene with a stellar cast of artists who will reunite for an evening of music and stories, remembering Diego Obregon, a master Colombian musician and marimba maker who passed away unexpectedly last month.
Hosted and curated by Martin Vejarano of La Cumbiamba NY, NYC Gaita Club, and Cumbia River Band, the event will also feature: Ronald Polo, Moris Cañate, and Johanna Castaneda of Grupo Rebolú; Pablo Major of Folklore Urbano and Encuentro NYC on piano, Sebastián Cruz on guitar; the NYC Gaita Club featuring Christian Rodriguez, Camilo Martinez, and Cristian Quimbay; and will include remembrances shared by Freddy Castiblanco of Terraza 7. Audiences who tune in to the Facebook livestream will be able to hear Obregon’s very own marimba, a unique percussive instrument from the Afro-Colombian community, played by Harold Gutierrez – a pianist, composer, and educator.
Obregon was an Afro-Colombian immigrant artist of incredible talent and generous spirit. He helped established the Colombian music scene in New York City, fronting his own band Grupo Chonta (so named for the wood he used to make his marimbas) and mentoring the next generation of musicians. He helped introduce and elevate Colombia’s rich Pacific coast music to New York audiences, as well collaborated and sat-in with artists from the around the world, all the while working a non-music job in a local graveyard to support his family.
Latin American Rhythms Night will stream live on Facebook at no charge to viewers. Those wishing to support Flushing Town Hall while the venue remains temporarily closed for COVID safety measures may donate to the Step Up for Flushing Town Hall campaign. Those wishing to support Obregon’s family may donate to the GoFundMe campaign created by his colleague.
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