Deliriously jet lagged in Bogota. Slightly dizzy from the high altitude. So happy to be here. This time (unlike my first) I know the fusion music delights that await me.

I was on a plane to Colombia when Cuban band Orishas gave me my first taste of Latin fusion music.

Fusion Music in Colombia? 

Arriving in Colombia for the first time, I didn’t know much about the music I’d find here. Only what travel books, blogs etc tell you generally about Colombians’ love of music and the popular music you will hear – Salsa, Cumbia, Vallenato, Reggaeton, Merengue, Champeta etc.  They are definitely right about that, but that’s only a part of the bigger musical picture in Colombia.

My first month in Colombia (Cartagena) all I heard was those popular genres of music – playing in houses, cars and bars everywhere. I left Colombia thinking those were the musical styles on offer.

Fusion Music in Cuba? 

I went to Cuba to find innovative and unique music.  I assumed I had a pretty good chance of finding it in Cuba.   When I heard Orishas on that plane I was even more hopeful.

I never really did find it in Cuba. I heard music everywhere. I heard live bands playing everywhere. I heard multi talented/instrumental and technically brilliant musicians everywhere.  I found some cool, unique  contemporary jazz music – but I didn’t find much other music that really messed around with traditional styles and sounds.

Fusion Music in Colombia?

I found it when I got back from Cuba, to Colombia. Musical diversity+. Fusion. Lots of bands creating really original & unique music I loved by craftfully blending different traditional and non-traditional styles together.

Colombian music is the fruits of having a mix of very diverse peoples and cultures. Also unrestricted access to the music and peoples of the rest of the world – unlike insulated Cuba. Orishas live outside of Cuba by the way.

The musical diversity in Colombia, the fusion music and so many other reasons (people, food, nature & people in all their diversity) make me ever so happy to be back in Colombia again.

I still love Cuba too – and  listen to and love a lot of Cuban music.

A Fusion Ode to Cuban & Colombian Music

In celebration of both Cuban and Colombian fusion music then, here’s a really awesome fusion song. It’s  a collaboration between Cuba’s Orishas & legendary Colombian salsa artist Yuri Buenaventura.

300 Kilos (Orishas & Yuri Buenaventura – Emigrante)

  

Cuba – I’m not gonna make it to you this time round.

Colombia – here I am again. Bogota, here I am…for as many fusion (and traditional) music experiences as I can find.