CRB
My first musical loves were drums and gaitas (Colombian flute). However, a few years ago, I fell in love with the clarinet! It came to me as a revelation and made me understand what love is all over again. I knew I wanted to play this wonderful instrument for the rest of my life. That's how and when Cumbia River Band was born
photo credit - Santiago Orellana
CUMBIA RIVER BAND
Cumbia River Band’s music draws from a festive repertoire of Colombian Cumbia and Riverside music. Their sound, featuring instruments such as the tuba, accordion, clarinet, percussion, and vocals, resembles the golden era of Cumbia, but with an American twist. Led by multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator Martin Vejarano, the band's original compositions and cleverly arranged classics will transport you to the captivating musical world of Cumbia River. Get ready for a musical adventure you'll remember!
"The Cumbia River Band somehow manages to create a distinctly New York style of cumbia, one that has an elegant jazzy swing to it. Of course, it’s still true to the cumbia’s roots as a dance form." John Schaefer, radio host at WNYC
"If, after yesterday’s show, you found yourself suddenly inspired to look into available cumbia dance classes, you aren’t alone! Thank you again to Cumbia River Band for bringing your vibrancy to our stage and setting the tone for the second half of our season! " Symphony Space
Cumbia,Cumbia !!!!
New Single -STOP GO!
Our new song Stop Go is live on all platforms!
Stop Go, Cumbia River Band’s newest release is an energetic and danceable invitation for environmental action around the world. Inspired by the Environmental Movement, Boyan Slat & The Ocean Cleanup project and teenager activist Greta Thunberg, composer Martin Vejarano aims to convey an urgent message of awareness while proposing a paradigm shift to save the planet and honor Mother Nature over comfort and the reckless consumerism displayed by contemporary humans.
Featuring tuba, clarinet, accordion, guitar, Colombian percussion and vocals, this cumbia in English invites all to dance and take action.
ALBUM - RIO
OUR DEBUT ALBUM "RIO" is ready!!!
Martin Vejarano's (Chia's Dance Party, La Cumbiamba NY) brand new project draws from a festive repertoire of Colombian Cumbia standards. These all time favorite Cumbia hits will take you back to the golden years of the genre as well as inspire you to dance and contemplate the joy and energy that this Cumbia River brings along. Featuring tuba, accordion, clarinet, percussion and voice, the band delivers a captivating sound.
“The performance of Cumbia River Band at our last
concert was completely explosive. As soon as they started playing, the entire audience stood up in unison and started dancing to
their irresistible rhythms and contagious joy.” Olivia Gazzarrini, The Sonic Room
“The crowd loved the band so much that they were trying to
block me from getting to the front of the stage to signal to you that it
was time to go.
I feel lucky/blessed to have such amazing group perform during my first festival as the director of the partnership.
hope we can count on you again for next year “
Ramos, Executive Director at 82nd Street Partnership. Jackson
Leslie A
Heights, NY.
CRB
Cumbia River Band’s music draws from a festive repertoire of Colombian Cumbia and Riverside music. Their sounds will take you back to the golden years of Cumbia as well as inspire you to dance and contemplate the joy and energy that this Cumbia River brings along. Featuring tuba, accordion, clarinet, percussion, guitar and voices, the band delivers a captivating performance, supported by the band’s particular approach to orchestration, which honors both traditional and contemporary sounds found in today’s tropical music scene.
Martin Vejarano – Clarinet & Compositions.