Harpist, band leader and composer Edmar Castaneda was born in Bogota, Colombia, where he started playing the Colombian harp at the early age of thirteen. His unique style of playing combines Latin jazz with traditional Colombian music and has carved out a firm place in the international jazz scene. A jazz harpist of imposing talent, Edmar transforms the harp into a lead instrument to phenomenal effect.
Producing cross-rhythms like a drummer, smashing chordal flourishes like a flamenco guitarist and collating bebop and Colombian music, he is practically a world unto himself. His style is fascinatingly percussive and he plucks dynamic bass lines almost invisibly while picking out melodies with his right hand. Now in his late 20s, Edmar moved to the United States in 1994 and was quickly recognized for his unmatched style and sound. He has performed with Paquito D'Rivera, John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, John Patitucci, Pablo Zinger, Dave Samuels, Trio De Paz, Guiovani Hidalgo, Lila Downs, Janis Siegel, Chico O'Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, the DJango Reinhardt NY Festival, the United Nation Orchestra and others.
Edmar also tours regularly as the leader of the Edmar Castaneda Trio, together with trombone and drums.
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