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    Columbus Makes Art Presents: Band Leader Eric Paton on Yumbambé, Festival Latino 2016 and Fish

    Columbus-based Latin jazz band Yumbambé has been performing in Columbus and beyond for more than 20 years. Led by Eric “The Fish” Paton, the group will be performing at Festival Latino 2016, the largest Latin event in Ohio, being held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 14, at Bicentennial Park downtown.

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    We caught up with “The Fish” during his world travels to get some insight into Yumbambé, Festival Latino and what is in store for festival-goers in 2016.

    Yumbambe. Photo courtesy Class Acts.
    Yumbambé. Photo courtesy Class Acts.

    Rolanda: What does the name “Yumbambé” mean?
    Eric: “Yumbambé” is a song by The Alegre All-Stars, and it was one of the first two records my high school band director gave me when I said I wanted to be a music major. So, it’s always had a special significance to me.

    Rolanda: So, that explains the Latin side of your musicianship. What about the jazz side?
    Eric: The other record he gave me was Charlie Parker’s “All-Star Sextet.” So, I’ve always been a jazz fan, too. Many of the Yumbambé members began as jazz musicians, and wanted to start playing Latin jazz— the music of Machito, Mario, Tito and Dizzie. So, we eventually started adding salsa, merengue and bachata because we enjoy playing for dancers.

    Rolanda: How many members make up your band?
    Eric: We perform with 9-12 musicians. We have a full horn section, piano, bass, up to four percussionists and multiple singers.

    Rolanda: Why do they call you “The Fish?”
    Eric: I grew up in Japan. When I was sharing my interest in sushi with friends in college, they gave me that nickname.

    Rolanda: What can people expect from a Yumbambé performance?
    Eric: Lots and lots of dancing! A Yumbambé performance is always a high-energy celebration of the music and culture we love. People can’t seem to help themselves from moving with the music. You can’t sit still!

    Festival goers enjoy the music. Photo by Randall L. Schieber.
    Festival goers enjoy the music. Photo by Randall L. Schieber.

    Rolanda: You have performed at Festival Latino in the past. What’s your favorite thing about the event?
    Eric: Yumbambé performed at the first Festival Latino in 1996. We were also one of the first bands to play the festival after CAPA began producing it in 2009, and it’s wonderful to be back! I really enjoy the combination of local and international artists that perform throughout the Festival. You really get a taste of how diverse the genre of Latin music truly is.

    Rolanda: Is there one particular artist you are looking forward to seeing perform?
    Eric: I’m already a fan of Sergio Vargas and Grupo Niche. I haven’t had the opportunity to hear El Prodigio yet, but because I’m a big percussion fan, I’m looking forward to seeing how a traditional merengue percussion section— tambora, guira and conga—interacts with an accordionist.

    You can't sit still! Photo by Randall L. Schieber.
    You can’t sit still! Photo by Randall L. Schieber.

    Yumbambé performs on the main stage of Festival Latino on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 2:45pm. The Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. — 8 p.m. each day, at downtown’s Bicentennial Park. This free, two-day, family-friendly celebration offers children’s activities, music, food and dance from the heart of Latin America. Saturday night headliners will be El Prodigio and Los Horóscopos de Durango. Sunday night headliners will be Sergio Vargas and Grupo Niche.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at how #artmakescbus.

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