ABOUT The World Panel

SESSION TITLE: Afro-Colombian Marimba de Chonta Music from the South Pacific Region: Roots, Reach and Evolution

Laura Stephany Cohen (moderator/organizer) is a Latin and classical percussionist and educator from Cali, Colombia. Growing up in Cali has led her to research and perform traditional music from Colombia and LATAM. She finds it necessary to spread awareness of the cultural and historical importance these traditions deserve. As a performer, she has won several music and academic competitions such as the Eastern Symphonic Orchestra concerto competition and the Avedis Zildjian Scholarship, and she performs and records with several groups.

Irlando “Maky” López (panelist), born in Charambirá, Colombia, was influenced by the traditional music of the South Pacific Colombian coast when he moved to Cali. There, he studied under matrona Maura Caldas and played in her group Los Bogas del Pacífico. Worried about the lack of representation of traditional Pacific Colombian music, Maky formed Grupo Naidy in 1997. His love and passion for southern Pacific Colombian music helped Grupo Naidy win several music competitions such as the Pentronio Alverez Festival.

Andy Miller (panelist) is a percussionist, educator, and dance musician based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His research on Afro-Colombian traditional music has been funded through a Fulbright Grant and the Graduate Presser Award from IU. During his time in Colombia, Andy studied the marimba de chonta and music of Colombia’s Pacific Coast with Ferney “La Wey” Segura, Bullerengue with Emilsen Pacheco, and San Jacinto style Gaita music with Francis Lara and Jorge Sepúlveda.

Héctor Tascón (panelist), born in Cali, Colombia, has focused his work on the traditional music of the South Pacific region of Colombia. The marimba, currulao rhythm, traditional Colombian legends, and Afro-Colombian dances are at the center of his interests. He has won several competitions including best marimba de chonta player in the 2023 Petronio Álvarez Festival. Héctor currently serves as chair of the percussion department at the Conservatorio Antonio María Valencia of Cali.