Edmar Castañeda

Edmar Castañeda is a Colombian-born harpist, composer, and bandleader recognized as one of the most original voices in contemporary jazz. A Latin GRAMMY® nominee for Best Latin Jazz Album (Family), he has redefined the role of the harp through a singular technique that merges bass lines, harmony, and melody simultaneously.

Since arriving in New York in 1994, he has collaborated with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, John Scofield, Marcus Miller, Hiromi, and Béla Fleck. He is a member of BEATrio with Béla Fleck and Antonio Sánchez, whose album was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

Castañeda is also the creator of the EC Llanera Harp in collaboration with Camac Harps. As a composer, he was commissioned by Carnegie Hall to write Bordones for string orchestra and EC Llanera Harp, and by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to compose Tres Cordilleras for harp and big band under the direction of Wynton Marsalis.

He appears as a performer and music consultant on Disney’s Encanto (music by Lin-Manuel Miranda).

His newest quartet album, Rumba en la Casa, reflects his vision of family, roots and the idea of Earth as our shared home.