smf36: it's a family affair, it's a family affair!

 

"There's one I haven't heard for a while! You're riffing on "Family Affair", right? The song that Sly & The Family Stone had as a hit when you were in middle school?"

 

You're right! That's a fitting descriptor, too, for the noon30 concert at the Metal Building today. I already knew that Edmar Castañeda would have his wife, Andrea Tierra, there, and that had been part of the draw for me: a married couple, performing together. I had no idea their children would also be onstage! But my absolute favorite part of this show today was how close Andrea would get to Edmar while he was playing, singing to him through the harp as he strummed the strings. That was love!!!

 

"That was very nice!!! Yes, she would start singing about 20 feet away, then gradually move closer and closer until she was right there. They've been together 21 years."

 

Did you hear how they met? He heard her singing and sought her out, telling her his name and that she was going to marry him and they would name their daughter "Zeudi". For real! Then, 20 days later, they were married!!! Isn't that incredible?

 

"And now it's been 21 years... wow!"

 

Guess what else came true from his prognostication? They had a daughter and named her Zeudi!!! She's 15 years old now. That's her, playing her dad's jazz harp and singing, while he holds the microphone.

 

"What was the song?"

I honestly don't know its name. They're from Colombia and all the songs had Spanish titles, some of which I caught, some I didn't. When I was relieved from Explorer Pass Wench duties by Benji and JD, he was playing "Cuarto de colores". He then did one of his own songs, "Entre Cuerdas", which means "between the chords". He was amazing to watch!!! It's as if he were shedding the notes from the strings just as one might brush off water droplets from a jacket - so energetic! And get this: he stood the entire time. The entire time!!! He only discovered the genre of jazz around 2001, so I can tell he's still quite enamored of it, but to stand and dance with that harp... wow! Good thing he's still young!

 

"Yeah, didn't she say his birthday had been March 31?"

 

That's correct. He's 47 years old now. Here he is with his 13-year-old son, Zamir, who has been playing percussion since he was 4. Wow. For this show, it was maracas and harp, a combination I'd wager no one has heard before!

 

"That's for sure!"

 

I think that song might have been "Hechos", a piece Edmar wrote during the pandemic. He was almost emotional when he talked about that dark time, and was truly grateful to God that his family had come through that period well and healthy. "Hechos" means "acts" or "deeds". I think for him it was about having your actions speak well of you.

 

"Very nice. I'm so glad you signed up for this very positive experience!"

 

Me, too, dear, me, too. Right place, right time.

i thank You, God.