When I told Colombians in the musical know that I was going to a Puerto Candelaria concert in Medellin, they all said something like:
“Puerto Candelaria is Medellin’s best fusion band.”
I kept answering: Si, I know, that’s why I’m going. I love their kooky music.
There is no other band I’ve ever heard that sounds like Puerto Candelaria. Their music is experimental jazz with a lot of different traditional Colombian & other Latin rhythms in the mix – including Cumbia, Vallenato, Porro, Guasca & more. The music is fun, original, unconventional and kooky.
I was lucky to be in Medellin last week to catch their live gig at 3 Cordilleras (supported by Esteman & Troker).
My expectations for this show were really high. The band totally delivered.
Puerto Candelaria self describes their shows as “absurd, dramatic, explosive, childish, funny and delusional”. I’d say the one I saw at 3 Cordilleras was just a little (positively) kooky at times is all.
Much more importantly than absurdity, drama, explosiveness etc etc, are the music and the musicianship si?
Well both the music and the musicianship of Puerto Candelaria at the 3 Cordilleras gig were brilliant.
Juancho Valencia on piano & musical direction – Eduardo González on bass & vocals – José Tobón on soprano sax – Cristian Ríos on trombone – Carlos Didier Martinez & Juan Guillermo Aguilar on percussion.
Video of the gig (dodgy at 1st, wait a bit 🙂 ) here…
Puerto Candelaria have played together since 2000, with 4 albums and a lot of world-wide festivals and tours under their belts.
They have a lot of loyal fans by now. I am one of them – because they play super unique, feel good, and yes ‘kooky’ Latin jazz fusion music.
Each album sounds different. Each one is great.
They are easy to find and buy if you like the sounds. Sorry as always you have to listen here in shitty MP3 format. I promise you Puerto Candelaria’s music sounds much better and is done better justice on the original CDs.
Kolombian Jazz (2002)
Proceso (Chucu-Chucu) – Puerto Candelaria – Kolombian Jazz
Suspiro – Puerto Candelaria – Kolombian Jazz
Llegó La Banda (2006)
La Olla Atomica – Puerto Candelaria – Llegó La Banda
Analisis – Puerto Candelaria – Llegó La Banda
Vuelta Canela (2010)
Sargenta Remolacha – Puerto Candelaria – Vuelta Canela
La Corriente– Puerto Candelaria – Vuelta Canela
Cumbia Rebelde (2011)
Balkanica – Puerto Candelaria – Cumbia Rebelde
Cumbia Rebelde – Puerto Candelaria – Cumbia Rebelde
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Puerto Candelaria is the “best fusion music band from Medellin” that I’ve heard so far.
Hands down they are also the best contemporary Colombian jazz band I’ve heard.
Puerto Candelaria is also at home at Merlin Producciones – an independent label and music production company for emerging Colombian artists. Apart from Puerto Candelaria, Merlin Producciones has other Colombian artists under its wing worth checking out, including La Republica.
