About this project

“The Colombia NYC Project” consists of two productions: a music compilation, and a documentary film based upon the collaborations of New York City and Colombian artists. This project will take place in Colombia from November 2010 till January 2011. The artists that organized this project are based out of New York City and have backgrounds in film/audio production, music composition, ethnomusicology, and music performance.

The story begins with Javier Pedraza Polo, a music producer from Colombia who currently lives in NYC. After meeting and performing with Cumba Mela he invited them to Colombia to co-produce this project. Cumba Mela, is an international music collective that was started by three native New Yorkers, Adam Partridge (Atropolis), Thor Partridge (Thornato), and Mike Tummolo (2melo). Influenced by the cosmopolitan characteristics of their surroundings, these three artists work with global bass music. Global bass encompasses a transnational fusion of music mixed with a heavy bass designed for the modern dancehalls. It is comprised of several types of sub-genres, such as, nuevia-cumbia, balkan-brass, and baile funk.

Please visit the following link to hear an example: http://soundcloud.com/cumba-mela/la-pava-congona-cumbamela-edit

This listening example is a remix of a Colombian folkoric legend, Andreas Landero, by Cumba Mela.

Today, there has been a revival of folkoric Colombian music throughout the world. Dj’s and producers such as Cumba Mela are experimenting with Colombian folk styles such as cumbia, vallanto, bullurengue, and mapale. They are taking these rhythms and mixing it with contemporary electronic forms of music.

Since Cumba Mela has only worked with Colombian music through online resources they were welcoming to Javier’s invitation to work with this music directly.

The foundation of this project is now complete. Cumba Mela, Javier, and Marine Lormant have spent months conducting preliminary research and establishing a strong network throughout Colombia. They have secured their contacts with artists, professors, ethnomusicologists, and music journalists throughout the Andes and Caribbean regions. Now all they have to do is go to Colombia and collaborate. However they need your support.

In order for them to successfully achieve their goals they need at least $3,500 to help pay for traveling, equipment, and production costs.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTISTS BEHIND THIS PROJECT:

Marine is a documentary filmmaker with a degree documentary filmmaking. Her work over the past view years can be seen by visiting the following links:
-Where are the Maya?
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
-The Revolution Will Be Animated:
http://vimeo.com/8768785
- Copyleft
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Javier Pedrza Polo is a well-rounded producer and performer from Colombia with degrees in Recording Arts, Audio Engineering, and Broadcast Media. Please visit the following links to hear some of his productions:

http://soundcloud.com/javier-pedraza-polo
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
http://www.hhgroups.com/maqueta-3080/Polo-y-Sutra-Promotional-mix-2007

Adam Partridge (Atropolis) is the co-founder of Cumba Mela, with a degree in music composition and ethnomusicology. His recent music productions can be heard at www.cumbamela.com. Also, his documentary about the diverse music scene in Buenos Aires can be viewed at www.apsoundimage.com.

Thor Partridge is the co-founder of Cumba Mela. A classically trained musician, Thor has been a performer since he was 8. His music productions can be heard at www.cumbamela.com and www.soundcloud.com/thornato.

Mike Tummolo is the co-founder of Cumba Mela. He has been djing and organizing events among the underground art scene of New York City for10 years. His collaborative work with Thor and Adam can be heard at www.cumbamela.com.