REBOLU: Tiny Desk x globalFEST

Felix Contreras | April 4, 2025
In 2021, the Tiny Desk x globalFEST series was created to promote international music discovery. For the fifth edition, we present artists from Cabo Verde, France and Colombia.

From the very first song, there is no question that we are immersed in the rich and vibrant sound of Colombia's Caribbean coast. Led by co-founders and lead vocalists Johanna Castañeda and Ronald Polo, the members of REBOLU dig deep into their roots to captivate audiences everywhere they play, including the Tiny Desk.

Grounded in the musical traditions of the African diaspora, REBOLU's performance reflects both the uptempo and the slow grooves that have evolved in Colombia — what makes their music, and this Tiny Desk, stand out is how they incorporate contemporary rhythms like reggae and funk into their sound. You may not have known them before, but once you do, REBOLU will have you coming back for more.

SET LIST
"Eso No"
"Para Ser Feliz"
"Lo Vivido Fue Importante"
"Sufre el corazón"
"Empezando"

MUSICIANS
Johanna Castañeda: vocals
Ronald Polo: vocals, maracas, gaita
Moris Cañate: Tambor Alegre
Scotty Otten: trumpet
Ramiro Marziani: guitar
Diego Alzate: bass
M. Alex Ramirez: saxophone, guacharaca, background vocals
Erica "Kika" Parra: drums

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Felix Contreras
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Video Editor: Joshua Bryant
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Grace Raver
Audio Engineer/Mix: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Dora Levite
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Creative Designer: Jackie Lay
Tiny Desk Team: Lars Gotrich, Ashley Pointer
globalFEST Team: Isabel Soffer, Bill Bragin, Shanta Thake, Priscila Santana, Ian Thake
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #rebolu