Bringing AfroColombian Tambora maestra Martina Camargo to LA

Sonido del Colibrí connects Latin American traditional music practitioners with LA diverse communities through live performances, educational and cultural exchanges. We are two Colombianas living in LA who seek to have our traditional culture be centered in our lives and community. Music and culture is a thread that unites people in Latin America in a way that makes communal living very organic. Traditions are passed down via intergenerational gatherings, where they are practiced with respect, love and joy. We want that here!

For our first major project we are bringing Colombia’s foremost exponent of Tambora - Maestra Martina Camargo and her group. Tambora is a 400 year old set of Afro Indigenous rhythms practiced by the edges of the majestic Magdalena River in the Caribbean region of Colombia. The maestra and her group have taken Tambora all over the world including Egypt and Italy, introducing audiences to the rhythmic and spiritual dimensions of a tradition she inherited from her father, mother, and ancestors. We are coordinating their Southern California debut, which is also their first time in the US after 30 years of renowned musical trajectory. It also coincides with her new album release and the possibility of being nominated to a Latin Grammy.

Tambora is one of Colombia’s bailes cantados, rhythms that are sung, danced and played in communal gatherings, where they sing their gratitude to the land and the water that sustains them. The maestra is a known and respected environmental activist who uses her music to bring attention to the violent exploitation of the natural resources in her region.

Where we need your support:

As Sonido del Colibrí we have secured the visa process, a grant from the Alliance of California Traditional Arts, and we are in conversations with conventional performance venues, as well as building partnerships with community led spaces that will cover payment for the band, food and transportation. We are now in need of funding for their flights between Colombia and the US in August of 2024. While we expect artist payments from their performances, this will not be available until later in the year and we need to secure reasonably priced flights as soon as possible.

Breakdown of prices

Flights for 5 band members ~ $4,000

Bags + instruments ~ $1,000

We are asking our communities in LA and beyond - Music lovers, Colombians and the Latin American diaspora, culture bearers and all the people that believe in supporting traditional music practitioners to support us in this endeavor.