El Laberinto del Coco: Tiny Desk x globalFEST

In 2021, the Tiny Desk x globalFEST series was created to promote international music discovery. For the last three years, artists from around the globe have performed Tiny Desk (home) concerts from their respective countries, but for the first time this year, artists performed at the Tiny Desk at NPR's headquarters.

Felix Contreras | April 5, 2024
The island of Puerto Rico has become known for various musical styles that have influenced not just Latin music, but also global musical trends. From the Afro Caribbean styles that make up the salsa boom of the 1970s, to the "BOOM-chicka-BOOM" of the reggaeton beat that came to dominate the charts, Puerto Rican musicians innovate while never straying far from tradition.

That idea inspired percussionist Hector "Coco" Barez to create the group El Laberinto del Coco, a genre-bending collective built around the folklore and rhythmic styles of bomba. The group's message is clear from the opening grooves of "Se Vuelve Miel" that Barez's vision is to dig deep into the African roots of call-and-response with four vocalists and four horn players to remind us throughout its performance of the power of bomba to create community.

Special mention should be made of the presence of musician Jerry Medina, a musical treasure and icon from the island who has performed with the biggest names in Afro Caribbean music as a vocalist and trumpeter — in this case adding voca rumba percussion and sound effects.

SET LIST
"Se Vuelve Miel"
"El Silencio"
"Todo Va a Estar Bien"
"La Bambula"
"Canción de Repertorio"

MUSICIANS
Hector "Coco" Barez: musical direction, tambor primo
Andrés "Kino" Cruz: tambor buleador
Efrain Martinez: drums
Manuel "Kike" Rodriguez: bass
Jorge Andres Ferreras Pujol "Patillazz": electric guitar
Daniel Ramirez Amador: trumpet
Luis Francisco Colon: tenor sax
Jomar Santana: trombone
Janice Maisonet: baritone sax
Chamir Bonano: cantora
KIaní Medina: cantora
Antoinette Rodriguez: cantora
Soreimi Bezares: cantora
Jerry Medina: cantaor

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Felix Contreras
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene
Audio Engineer: Kwesi Lee
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Creative Designer: Jackie Lay
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
globalFEST Team: Isabel Soffer, Bill Bragin, Shanta Thake, Zion Jackson, Ian Thake
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#tinydesk #nprmusic #lelaberintodelcoco

[Shea]

Dear Tiny Desk, From the bottom of my heart, I just want to say, THANK Y'all So Much for giving all of Us countless varieties of music!! Y'all Rock!! Btw, From their Breathtakingly Beautiful voices, beautiful, much needed lyrics like how Our World needs PEACE, & from the beautiful instruments/music, & vibes, The whole performance was Beautiful, it left me in Awe. 🥰 Everything was ABSOLUTE 🔥!!
PEACE. 💜 🕊 ✌🏼 💜

[eggydrums]

As a Puerto Rican, I have to say this is one of the most underrated musical projects coming out of the island right now. They deserve all the recognition they can get.

Un saludo y abrazo a Coco, Efraín, Janice y todo ese combo de increíbles músicos 🗣️🇵🇷

[bernardettelopez]

More than proud of this extraordinary ensemble of Puerto Ricans musicians and singers. A collective of minds and hearts in a journey thru a labyrinth of peace and feelings. Love you all! Bernardette💜🌹🎶

[rbrcbr]

PR's brightest and best right here!!!! Viva la bomba y que Viva Puerto Rico Libre

[r.d]

So many great musicians and singers that we don't normally get to see on Tv. Thank you Tiny desk

[JoynPain]

Although I don’t understand Spanish, I understand GOOD MUSIC & This was amazing! ❤

[brittgonz]

I am proud to be PUERTO RICAN. What an honor & privilege 🇵🇷 🇵🇷 🇵🇷

[MichaelMurphy-kjxf]

Wow. What a tour de force!
The blending of the vocals, horns, percussion and strings is magical. So beautiful.
And the older fella in the front keeps it 💯

[naegleriafowleri]

🎉❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🎉 Puerto Rico en la casa!

[zoril.]

Puerto Rican art is just next level IYKYK

[XTOPHER__]

I saw them live when I studied at the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico and was amazed by how they mix traditional Bomba rythms with jazz and their original techniques. Inspiring to see these maestros here! De Puerto Rico pal mundo 🇵🇷✊🏼

[Halfsaladzw]

This is like Zimbabwean Sungura mixed with Jit, Jazz but it is very Latino. Wow. Lovely ❤

[sArcadeKid]

El planeta necesita paz y buena música 🇻🇪 latino hasta la muerte!

[antoniobronx]

Thank you NPR for expanding the Tiny Desk to include the rhythm and light of the Puerto Rican people. What a fantastic cross generational amalgamation of musicians!

[luketargett]

Wow absolutely loved this, what a set!!!

[bayusabi]

It's impossible watching their performance without a smile or a light dance ❤

[averybrown]

They sound amazing! This is my first time hearing of them; After watching their Tiny Desk, I’m officially a fan. I love the consistency they bring as a band. 🙌🏿💫🎶

[lauracollins]

Bomba in swahili means 'the best' / awesome etcetc . Never heard Bomba from Puerto Rico before, and absolutely LOVE it mwahhh!

[MrBlowncat]

¡Qué energía tan bonita y que presentación tan espectacular! ¡Orgulloso de ustedes! 🇵🇷 Gracias Tiny Desk.

[hailynewma]

I‘ll take this with me into the weekend
thanks TD and band ❤