Edmar Castañeda has changed what people think the harp can do.
Originally from Colombia and now based in New York, he has developed a style that allows him to play bass lines, chords, and melody all at once, turning the harp into a complete, rhythm-driven instrument. The result is something closer to a full band than a solo player.
Castañeda’s work draws from Colombian traditions, jazz, and global influences, moving easily between them without losing its sense of groove. His playing is both highly technical and immediately engaging, with a strong rhythmic pulse at the center of it.
Over the years, he has collaborated with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Béla Fleck, John Scofield, and Hiromi, and has performed everywhere from intimate clubs to major concert halls, including Carnegie Hall. His compositions range from small ensemble pieces to large-scale works for orchestra and big band.
More recently, his music has reached wider audiences through projects like being a consultant on Disney’s Encanto and appearing on the soundtrack, and through his ongoing work as a composer and bandleader.
He appears at Lena’s with his Quartet with players Andrea Tierra on Vocals, Birsa Chatterjee on Tenor Sax, Julian Miltenberger on Drums and Special guests Zeudi Castaneda on Vocals, and Zamir Castaneda on Trumpet and Maracas.
Up close in a room like Lena’s, the precision stands out, but so does the groove that runs through everything.
The Peak Jazz Series is made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Corrine Simonds.
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