Mexican musicians take marimba to new heights
Most of us have seen or heard a performance involving the marimba. And while the percussion instrument occupies a prominent place in Belize’s cultural mix, it is not usually the first choice for a serious concert. We’re not sure if an encounter with a group of talented musicians this afternoon has made her a fan but News Five’s Kendra Griffith definitely has a new perspective.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
For years, Mexican musician Javier Nandayapa has been experimenting with the marimba in an effort to take the folkloric instrument to another level.
Javier Nandayapa, Founder
“The marimba instrument is an instrument which could blend very well with different instruments. I have made different combinations with some wind instruments like oboe, clarinet, flute, some metal instruments like the trumpet or horns, with the string section.”
Seven years ago he settled on a combination of the marimba, piano, and percussion, and after forming a trio, has been touring the world introducing the public to the new sound.
Javier Nandayapa
“The first reaction is that people are really surprised with this combination with percussion. The music is very rhythmical, rhythmically emphatic, so I think it’s a very fortunate combination, so the people always get surprised when they get this ensemble. They don’t realise all the possibilities of the marimba and the mixture with all those instruments.”
Javier Nandayapa
“We play mostly music with some emphasis on minimal music and some taste of contemporary and some fusion with jazz influence and also a little bit of world music.”
The group came to Belize to perform two concerts. On Wednesday night they were in Belmopan and this evening they’ll take to the stage at the Bliss.
Javier Nandayapa
“I think it’s a new music that maybe wasn’t here before in Belize, so it’s always like a challenge for us to come and share our music and see the reaction on the public.”
The Javier Nandayapa Trio comprises Nandayapa on marimba, Jesus Martinez on piano, and David Pena on percussion. They hit the road once again on Friday, this time heading to Chetumal. Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
The concerts were sponsored by the Mexican embassy.
