Jazz Fest takes a deep dive into the Latin culture powerhouse by dedicating its 2024 Cultural Exchange to Colombia’s incredible musical and cultural diversity. This year’s Cultural Exchange is the Festival’s largest country celebration to date, with close to 200 Colombian artists participating, most of them traveling to the U.S. for the first time.
Headlining this musical voyage around Colombia are Bomba Estéreo on April 27, Choquibtown’s lead singer Goyo in a guest appearance with local band ÌFÉ on April 28, and salsa legends Grupo Niche closing the celebration in style on May 5.
Afro-Colombian Sounds from the Pacific and Caribbean
The vibrant Afro culture of the Colombian Pacific is being highlighted with Chirimia brass band Rancho Aparte and traditional Marimba ensemble Agrupacíon Changó on the first weekend. Matachindé – the 2023 winner of the prestigious music competition held at the annual Petronio Alvarez Festival in Cali each year – and marimba fusion group Bejuco appear on the second weekend. On the Caribbean side, Kombilesa Mi represents the voice of a new generation of Colombian musicians. Hailing from Palenque – the first free black town in the Americas, they overlay traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythms and instruments with rap lyrics in both Spanish and their local Palenquero language. Creole Group brings the Colombian island of San Andrés’ Caribbean vibes to the Festival with its fusion of Calypso and Reggae on the second weekend.
Dancing to Cumbia, Vallenato, Salsa, Joropo and Champeta
On the first weekend, Festivalgoers are invited to dance to the rhythms of Los Cumbia Stars, and to the explosive “breaksalsa” sound of Jacobo Velez y La Mambanegra from Cali. High-energy champeta drum and dance troupe Batámbora of Cartagena parades throughout the Fair Grounds daily, May 2 through May 4. Grammy-nominated Cimarrón presents soul-shaking joropo music and dance from Colombia’s Eastern Plains on May 4 & 5.
Colombia's Carnival Vibe
A master of the indigenous millo flute, Joaquin Perez y Su Herencia Ancestral brings the traditional cumbia sounds and sights of Barranquilla’s Carnival to the Fair Grounds on the first weekend. On the second weekend, Lucio Feuillet presents the music and songs of the Black and White Carnival of his hometown of Pasto.
Colombian Flavors
Right outside the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion, popular New Orleans-based tropical café Carmo returns in a collaboration with Colombian Chef Jose Blanco, owner of the street food pop-up WASKA, to serve popular Colombian street foods and refreshing ceviches at the Cultural Exchange Food Booth.
Adjacent to the Cultural Exchange Food, the Cultural Exchange Bar will serve COCOLOCO a Colombia-inspired cocktail.
Around the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion
This presentation was made possible in part with support from the Government of Colombia. The Government of Colombia supports meaningful intercultural dialogue with the United States, seeking reconciliation and recognition between cultures through the activation of creative and artistic exchange spaces. Other contributors include USAID, ACDI/VOCA, The City of Cali – Secretary of Culture, and the Petronio Alvarez Festival.