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Colombian musicians take on the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Resume![Members of the ensemble Agrupación Changó pose for a photo outside the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavilion. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)](https://wordpress.wbur.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PHOTO-2024-04-25-18-16-07-1-1000x762.jpg)
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
![Jacobo Velez y La Mambanegra performing at the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavillion. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2024/05/PHOTO-2024-04-29-14-59-25.jpg)
Gaita Loop
![Gaita Loop performing at the Rhythmpourium Tent. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2024/05/PHOTO-2024-04-29-15-00-51.jpg)
![Kombilesa Mi performing at the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavilion. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2024/05/PHOTO-2024-04-29-15-03-22.jpg)
Joaquín Pérez y su Herencia Ancestral
![Joaquín Pérez y su Herencia Ancestral in front of the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavilion at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2024/05/PHOTO-2024-04-29-15-06-36.jpg)
Agrupación Changó
![Agrupación Changó performing at the Colombia Cultural Exchange Pavilion at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Courtesy of Betto Arcos)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2024/05/PHOTO-2024-04-29-15-11-58.jpg)
This segment aired on May 2, 2024.