Colombian musicians take on the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

09:29

May 02, 2024

Members of the ensemble Agrupación Changó pose for a photo outside the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavilion. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)

The annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is back this weekend for a second round this year.

Founded in 1970, it’s one of the largest music festivals in the U.S.; about 250,000 people attended the first weekend for their fill of great food and outstanding music. This year, nearly 200 artists from Colombia are playing the festival thanks to a cultural exchange with the South American country.

Attending the festival has been on music journalist Betto Arcos’ list for years — but this year’s guest country finally pushed him to go. He watched performances from groups like Agrupación Changó, an 11-piece ensemble from the port city of Tumaco.

“The Pacific coast of Colombia, it's important to note that this is a region that has suffered and endured a lot of violence for decades,” Acros says. “Despite the difficulties, the Afro-Colombian communities have managed to resist and flourish culturally, especially with music.”

Music from the segment

Jacobo Velez y La Mambanegra

Gaita Loop

Kombilesa Mi performing at the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavilion. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)

Joaquín Pérez y su Herencia Ancestral

Agrupación Changó

This segment aired on May 2, 2024.

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