Afro-Venezuelan music takes New York by storm with Tambor y Caña

By Sorayda Díaz

Upon arriving in New York, he became involved in various musical projects, exploring diverse genres such as cumbia and ska, always seeking a space to express his own cultural identity. It was in 2017 that he decided to team up with other Venezuelan musicians to launch his own project: Tambor y Caña.

The group was formed with the clear goal of reviving and promoting Afro-Venezuelan music, an ancient genre that blends rhythms from Africa with indigenous Venezuelan elements. “The four of us started out making a name for ourselves as a group: Daniel Prueba, Jacob Vital, Kevin Constante, and myself,” recalls Willie, who has led the group with passion and determination ever since.

One of the main challenges was precisely to break down cultural barriers and find an audience receptive to a style of music that was still relatively unknown in New York. “Apparently, there were already a few groups in New York, but they didn’t last because there wasn’t much of a Venezuelan community,” explains Willie. However, with the recent growth of the Venezuelan diaspora, Tambor y Caña found fertile ground in which to flourish.

“To me, our music is all about ‘sabrosura.’ It’s energy, strength, and a connection to our ancestors,” Willie describes enthusiastically.

For nearly eight years, Tambor y Caña has brought this Afro-Venezuelan flavor to prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center and New York City Hall, successfully connecting not only with Venezuelans but also with diverse Latino and African American communities, sparking interest and curiosity about their culture.

Recognizing the importance of education in preserving cultural heritage, Willie founded ETAPA (School of Afro-Venezuelan Drumming and Afro-Latin Percussion) in 2021, following the pandemic. The school does not have a permanent location but instead holds workshops and classes at various educational and cultural institutions. Its goal is clear: to teach new generations the value and richness of these ancestral rhythms.

These workshops gave rise to another noteworthy project: Tamborellas, an all-female group that demonstrates how women, too, can lead the way in Afro-Venezuelan percussion. This initiative quickly attracted attention and has performed successfully at various cultural events throughout the city.

For Willie, Afro-Venezuelan music in the United States continues to evolve in a positive direction.

“I’m not opposed to our music evolving or blending with other genres, as long as it stays true to its roots—the unique essence of our people,” he says.

Learn more about Tambor y Caña at: instagram.com/tambornyc