Not everything is Maluma or Shakira in Colombia. That is what Edmar Castañeda proves. Despite dedicating himself to a musical style far away from the mainstream, he is boosting his popularity, especially in New York, where he currently resides.

Since he moved to the City that Never Sleeps, this Colombian musician, with a wide smile and a master of the harp, has developed his own musical style that combines jazz and Latin, as well as traditional sounds from his homeland. Recently, he demonstrated his talent at Lincoln Center in New York, where he presented his latest album Family with his quartet, released in 2021. His wife, singer Andrea Tierra, performs two songs from the album.

Before the concert, he stressed that it was going to be a special date — he had not seen his bandmates since before the pandemic. Before the coronavirus, he was a regular collaborator with the Winton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Paquito de Rivera, who defined him as “one of the most original musicians in the city.”

After triumphing on international tours, Castañeda perfected the sounds that he creates with his Colombian harp. His partner, Tierra, celebrated his return after a two-year hiatus: "We're finally playing the new album after everything we've lived through these two years, and here in New York, the city we love and that has so much power in our hearts.”

Israeli saxophonist Shlomi Cohen and Colombian drummer Rodrigo Villalón also took part in the performance. Together, they offered an exquisite combination of jazz, funk and folk music from Latin America.

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At 44, Castañeda has an extensive discography. Previously, he released albums like Cuarto de Colores, Entre cuerdas, Double Portion and Harp vs. Harp. On his latest album, Family, he was inspired by his family, which gave him strength and unity during the dark times of the pandemic.

“This music is inspired by what my family was, that we gave ourselves strength together to pass this test [coronavirus]. This music is inspired by that and in many times of my absence during my trips to Europe. That pain that every musician feels when he is away from home,” he told the Associated Press.

His latest album also includes “Canción con todos,” a classic from the popular Latin American songbook composed by the Argentinians Armando Tejada Gómez and César Isella, popularized in the 70s by Mercedes Sosa.

"It's a song that unites all of Latin America, and it also gave us a feeling of family togetherness," said the musician.

When Castañeda immigrated to the U.S. at age 16, he initially played trumpet in his school's marching band. Then he took up the harp. Over time, he developed a harp/bass hybrid that allows him to play both instruments in once. He uses his left hand to play the bass, and his to play the guitar.

“It's a technique that I've developed during my years in New York,” he explained, pointing to the instrument specially designed by the French manufacturer CAMAC.