Marimba Percussion Workshop with Jessianber & Jaritza Narvaez

Thu, June 19, 3pm–5pm
Maysedergasse 2/28, 4th floor, 1010 Vienna

Please register at info@vbkoe.org as space is limited!
No previous experience is necessary.

Step into the rhythm of the Colombian Pacific with Marimba, an electrifying music and dance experience led by the powerful voices of two young cultural guardians, Jessianber and Jaritza. Hailing from the vibrant heart of Colombia’s southern Pacific coast, these women will guide you through a soulful journey of traditional rhythms, joyful movement, and collective celebration.

Feel the beat as you become part of a live percussion ensemble, playing marimbas, drums, and traditional hand instruments. No prior musical experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to move. From the first note to the final dance step, you’ll be immersed in the living heritage of a community that expresses its stories, strength, and joy through music. By the end of this experience, you’ll not only have discovered a new musical language—you’ll be playing it, dancing to it, and sharing it with others.

↝ Jessianber, born in Guapi, Cauca, is a marimba player, singer, and dancer rooted in Pacific traditions. She co-founded Reencarnación del Pacífico at age 13 and now performs with the group. A student of music production through Pacífico Máster Beat, she toured Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic in 2023 with Marimbea. Her performances highlight Afro-Colombian women’s leadership in preserving and innovating ancestral music.

↝ Jaritza Narvaez is a young Afro-Colombian leader and artist from Buenaventura. With a decolonial and territorial focus, she promotes dignity, inclusion, and the cultural rights of diverse communities. She began her journey in traditional Pacific music at the age of eight and, by 23, had already performed nationally and internationally in countries like the U.S., Brazil, and Peru. Her group Renacer del Pacífico won first place at the 2021 Petronio Álvarez Festival. Jaritza is now a role model for Black women and traditional percussionists, sharing her knowledge in schools and youth projects in Buenaventura and Cali.