NPR Tiny Desk concerts, known for intimate performances, have featured Colombian music and artists, showcasing their soulful talents globally. From its humble beginnings to its expansive reach, Tiny Desk has been instrumental in broadening musical horizons. For me, it’s been a treasure trove of discovery, allowing me to visually match sounds and immerse myself into musical diversity. This article shines a spotlight on five Colombian artists that have graced the Tiny Desk stage, both at the NPR offices in Washington, DC and at remote locations.
Tiny Desk concerts began in 2008 as an intimate series of performances hosted at Bob Boilen’s desk at NPR. The idea began after Bob Boilen, the former host of All Songs Considered and Stephen Thompson left a South by Southwest performance frustrated because they couldn’t hear the music over the crowd noise. Bob Boilen suggested that the performer, Laura Gibson, should just go and perform at his desk, which happened a couple of months later. The Tiny Desk brand has expanded to include Tiny Desk (Home) Edition during the pandemic. Additionally, the Tiny Desk x globalFest series was an initiative created to promote international music discovery. They also have international presence with Tiny Desk Korea and Tiny Desk Japan.
Tiny Desk received a lot of initial criticism for their narrow hipster-indie music curation. However, as they have grown, they have included all kinds of genres into their program, doing an excellent job at celebrating musical expressions from all around the world.
Tiny Desk concerts have been instrumental for me as a non-musician. They have helped me learn about different instruments and their sounds. Similar to Colombian Jukebox, their intent is to share lesser known music with the world.
In 2017, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated between September 15 to October 15 in the United States, NPR introduced ‘El Tiny’, a special series featuring Latinx artists. As quoted by Ana Maria Sayre, co-host of Alt. Latino “We want to represent both what is happening in Latin music at the moment, what is happening culturally for us at the moment, but we also want to bring artists who are kind of, like, projecting us forward a little bit”. The term “El Tiny” was an endearing term used by a member of Jorge Drexler’s band during a performance at the studios.
Here are 5 Colombian artists that have made the Tiny Desk.
1. Diamante Eléctrico – A Political Statement in Rock
In 2021, Colombian rock band Diamante Eléctrico delivered a powerful Tiny Desk (Home) Concert that was nothing short of electrifying. With a full 10-piece band, the performance transcended the typical Tiny Desk format which only allows for people that fit inside the desk area at their Washington, DC offices.
Juan Galeano led the charge with political anthems like “Amalia”, alongside his brother, Mario Galeano, founder of a Colombian subgenre known as tropicanibalismo. Part of the Tiny Desk Concert requirements is to feature a desk in their performance video. Diamante Eléctrico did an excellent job at incorporating this requirement. They used the desk as percussion instruments while holding pencils as drumsticks, an introduction that made the band’s raw energy and passion palpable.
2. Meridian Brothers – Psychedelic Cumbia Fusion
Blending cumbia, salsa, and psychedelic sounds, Meridian Brothers offered a unique auditory experience at their Tiny Desk concert. Led by Elbis Álvarez, the Meridian Brothers are an experimental latin fusion group from Bogotá. They began in extraterrestrial fashion with distorted vocals and with an array of effects, including the use of the vibraslap. Then, they transitioned over to ‘¿Dónde Estás María?,’ the tile of their 2017 album. They concluded with ‘Bomba Atómica’, a song that as mentioned by @bubblisimo in the comment section should have been the theme song for Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster movie, Oppenheimer.
3. Gregorio Uribe – The Accordion Maestro
If I were to be an instrument, I would definitely be the accordion. This European contribution to Colombian folklore makes my skin crawl (in a good way). Gregorio Uribe is a well-known and established accordionist, singer-songwriter, and now a published author. I have had the opportunity to see him on several occasions at Terraza 7 in New York and also share the stage with Carlos Vives at Madison Square Garden. His musical repertoire includes work with influential and important artists in Latin American music history, such as Ruben Blades. Gregorio’s sounds are so rhythmic, full of color and life that it’s easy to ignore the existential messages that come with his music.
Gregorio Uribe’s Tiny Desk concert was a spiritual journey filled with existential musings and heartfelt melodies. Always impeccably dressed, Uribe’s love for the accordion shone through. His introspective songs resonated deeply, offering a moment of reflection amidst the chaos of everyday life. He navigates through a spiritual search with ‘Damasco’, and explores the religious cultural shift central in Nietzche’s philosophy in “God is Dead” with his song ‘Atlas’.
4. Jessie Reyez – A Modern Rebel with a Cause.
Opening with a language warning, Canadian-Colombian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez’s Tiny Desk Concert was a bold declaration of her modern rebellious feminine spirit. Incorporating elements of Colombian music, Reyez’s performance was both contemporary and rooted in tradition. From crafting a guacharaca using a used PBR beer can to incorporating the emblematic vallenato, ‘Los Caminos de La Vida’, her rebellious attitude made this set a memorable one.
I have seen several recent interviews where Jessie speaks about her social anxiety and her new path into sobriety. This contrasts sharply with her life during the NPR Tiny Desk Concert. It is definitely something I can relate to, and I am excited to see what is new with this new lifestyle.
5. Rio Mira – A fusion of Afro-Latin Rhythms.
In representation of the Pacific region of Latin America and formed by artists from Ecuador and Colombia, Rio Mira’s Tiny Desk concert in 2019 was a celebration of Andean Afro-Latin heritage. Rio Mira, named after a river separating Ecuador and Colombia, is directed by Esteban Copete. He plays the marimba de chonta, the instrument that dominates their sound. The group’s infectious rhythms and soulful melodies are a testament to the power of music to bridge the cultural divide.
Tiny Desk and Beyond
The NPR Tiny Desk concerts have become a stage where Colombian artists shine brightly, showcasing their unique sounds and stories. From the passionate energy of Diamante Eléctrico to the eclectic vibes of Meridian Brothers, these artists have beautifully represented the diversity and depth of Colombian music. As more talented artists from Colombia have made and continue to make their mark on the Tiny Desk stage, there will be more blog articles featuring these remarkable talents. In the meantime, enjoy these incredible performances that highlight the richness of Colombian musical heritage.
Stay tuned for more!
