In Colombia, the flute instrument la gaita has become a symbol of resistance and resilience, with a history that stretches back to before the arrival of the Spanish. Experience the deep, resonant sound and rich history of this instrument when El León Pardo and his band bring traditional gaita music from Colombia’s northern coast to the stage at ALICE.

Jorge Emilio Pardo Vásquez, also known as El León Pardo, plays both the trumpet and la gaita colombiana—a traditional flute instrument with roots dating back to pre-colonial times. Back then, it was used in ritual contexts, few of which are still practiced today. That’s why El León Pardo sees the instrument as a kind of witness to his ancestors, their culture, and their practices. With its deep, resonant tones, la gaita has become a symbol of resistance and resilience.

At the same time, this flute — which was originally crafted from materials like cactus — has over time found its way into hybrid cultural genres such as cumbia and its subgenre porro. When El León Pardo and his band take the stage at ALICE with gaita, maracas, and drumsticks in hand, they present traditional gaita music from Colombia’s northern coast. Expect a celebration as well as a transcendent experience when El León Pardo y los Gaiteros de Punta Icaco unleash both body and soul through their vibrant, spirited, and spiritual sound — one that blends ancestral traditions with Caribbean rhythms