YEISON LANDERO

Colombian cumbia
San Jacinto, Bolívar, Colombia

Yeison Landero, from San Jacinto in Colombia’s Montes de María province near Cartagena, is called “el heredero de la cumbia”—the heir to cumbia. Not only is he from the birthplace of the tradition, but he is also the grandson of Andrés Landero, affectionately known as “el rey de la cumbia” (the king of cumbia).

Colombian cumbia as it’s known today was popularized in the 1960s by Yeison’s grandfather, Andrés Landero, affectionately known as “el rey de la cumbia” (“the king of cumbia”). He was a prolific songwriter, often writing about his love for Colombia, its people, and culture, creating an expansive repertoire of cumbia hits that are now considered classics. Andrés translated the indigenous melodies of San Jacinto’s gaitas (a native flute made of a hollowed-out cactus stem) to the accordion; combined them with propulsive African-derived rhythms played on a trio of percussion instruments, including the tambora and llamador; added electric bass to fill out the bottom; and wrote and sang lyrics that championed the lives of rural indigenous and Black campesinos, who are thought to have brought the foundations of cumbia to the region centuries earlier.

Yeison Landero grew up in an environment rich with music, dances, and serenades. He began studying with his grandfather at just 7 years old, inheriting not just Andrés’s love of cumbia and the accordion, but also his talent to interpret melodies. Yeison quickly became the most appreciated student of his grandfather, learning all the emotions and humility behind the musician. In his early years, Yeison’s home was a frequent stop by musicians entertaining at parties with their incomparable talents. Alfredo Gutiérrez, Lizandro Meza, Enríquez Díaz, Adolfo Pacheco Anillo, the legendary pipers of San Jacinto, and Abel Antonio Villa are all renowned musicians with whom Yeison nurtured his traditional style.

Yeison started playing in groups with his grandfather and sister, performing cumbia at festivals, celebrations, concerts, regional fairs, and touring nationally. He later went on to study music at Palacio de Bellas Artes, and got his law degree at the University of Cartagena. His love for his ancestral accordion and his passion for cumbia were so great that he returned to performing full time, captivating the hearts of cumbiamberos along the way. Yeison released his first album, Landero Vive, as a tribute to his grandfather's immortal legacy. Since then, he has not stopped playing, representing Colombian cumbia’s unique sound nationally and internationally. Today Yeison Landero and his band are keeping classic cumbia alive, updating it for 21st century listeners and dancers, and bringing it to the world through their performances and recordings.

Artist social media and website:

facebook.com/yeisonlanderocumbia
instagram.com/yeisonlandero
youtube.com/@yeisonlandero

Videos: