Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto at Terraza 7, Elmhurst NY

The group, dates from the early 1950's when the original lineup began performing under that name after being recruited for a European tour. Subsequent generations of musicians from San Jacinto Bolivar in northern Colombia have kept the music flowing and today there are gaita bands throughout Colombia.  

 Their music has inspired an appreciation of traditional music in fans as well as  contemporary musicians. They were met with a raucous welcome at Terraza 7, home of Colombian music in New York City's Elmhurst neighborhood. Terraza owner Freddy Castiblanco said "Many musicians come to the city to play jazz and find their music is better when they discover their roots" he says "we are New Yorkers generating a new culture based on our memories"

Rafael joined the group in 1985, but has been a musician his whole life. In San Jacinto Rafael said, children learn how to play from the elders. His mom sang and his dad played gaita, he also cites Juanchito Fernandes, who sang with the group  as a teacher  and mentor. 

Consciousness has changed since a group of local musicians from a rural region in Colombia became known as Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto. Over 50 years later they are now culture bearers performing the music of their region worldwide. Gaita is a local music featuring a flute of the same name, originating with the indigenous population in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The musicians are called Gaiteros.

 Near the Caribbean coast is home to a mix of cultures, African, Indigenous and Spanish. The music there, cumbia, vallenato, gaita, and bullarengue combines elements of those cultures.

Lead vocalist Rafael Castro Fernandez told us beforehand the band was going to play Cumbia, Gaita Corrida, Porro, and with special guest Yeison Landero, button accordion on Cumbia w accordian and (vallenato) Puya.

Hearing music at Terraza 7 is as good as it gets in New York City. A 700 square foot triangular space with a wire mesh stage above the bar. Listeners can sit across from the musicians on two rows of bleacher benches or listen from below.  Freddy Castiblanco has consistently featured Colombian traditional music and encouraged its regeneration through contemporary artists including Rebolu, a weekly jazz jam and artists from other Latin American countries. 

Castiblanco's philosophy is to pair local musicians with traditional masters  Kaisha Johnson, of the Center for Traditional Music and Dance, said this about the importance of La Terraza "Before Terraza there was not an artistic outlet where musicians could jam and listen to new music. Freddy created that." After a period of uncertainty, existing month to month, The venue has a new lease and will be here for a long time.