“Coco” Héctor Barez, brings his El Laberinto del Coco bomba jazz project live to El Bastión in Old San Juan, and streaming to the world from elbastion.org, on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 7pm. $20 🇵🇷
Bombazo
Bomba is a Puerto Rican drum, song and dance tradition that is a living folk art. It is unique in the way the dancer plays a follow me game with the lead drummer.
Many folk traditions are only done for tourists, but bomba is very alive. Bombazos (bomba dance parties) pop-up in town squares and beaches every night somewhere on the island ~ especially under the full moon.
This rich expression of Puerto Rican heritage isn’t really about drumming, singing and dancing. It’s about connecting as a community. Bomba makes everybody smile.
We have a lot of experience in another African diaspora tradition, Argentine tango. In tango a couple opens up to each other. We call it tango connection and when it happens, it’s profound. The bomba connection is equally deep, but it’s between an entire group of people and done without touching. It’s like a hundred flowers blooming, all at the same time.
It’s beautiful to watch young Puerto Ricans gather and express themselves as individuals, couples, and a community. Seniors are often the most respected dancers. Everybody loves bomba.
El Laberinto del Coco
In the same way that Rafael Cortijo and his buddy Ismael Rivera brought bomba rhythms into la salsa, Coco is taking bomba into jazz and other fusions.
Coco is a leader of a bomba renaissance on the island. Calle 13’s original percussionist, is supported by the Instituto de Cultura Puertoriqueña, NEA National Endowment for the arts, SXSW and others.
He is also a New York Latin Culture Magazine guest curator. We are learning Puerto Rican culture by “hangeando” (hanging out) with Coco and his crew.
Instagram @ellaberintodelcoco
Bandcamp.com
El Laberinto del Coco at El Bastion
El Bastión is a circus arts school inside Ponce de Leon’s house in Old San Juan. It’s one of the hidden gems inside the old walled city.
During the pandemic, Coco has been dreaming up new fusions. Don’t miss this special concert live from El Bastión.
Everybody loves bomba at elbastion.org