Edmar Castañeda

Edmar Castañeda plays the Musical Instrument Museum on Sunday, November 29, at 7 PM. The show is part of the museum's 2026 Concert Series, which is sponsored by Sanderson Lincoln.

Castañeda is a Colombian-born harpist, composer, and bandleader who's built a reputation as one of the most original voices in contemporary jazz. He's known for a technique that lets him handle bass, harmony, and melody lines all at once, which effectively changes what the harp does on a stage. He's been based in New York since 1994, and over the years he's collaborated with Wynton Marsalis, Béla Fleck, Marcus Miller, and Hiromi. You might also recognize his work from Disney's Encanto, where he served as a music consultant and contributed to the soundtrack. In 2021, his album Family earned a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album.

He's currently working on a new record, Global Heartbeat, which he describes as a personal reflection on family and the world as a shared home. The New York Times called him "almost a world unto himself," and NPR has praised his technique. This concert is part of the museum's 2026 Concert Series, so it's one of several shows they're bringing in throughout the year.

Tickets run from $38.50 to $44.50, and museum members who give $500 or more annually get 10% off. The show is at the MIM Music Theater inside the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, starting at 7 PM on Sunday, November 29.