The Center for Cultural Vibrancy (CCV) is proud to announce that Yeison Landero, the acclaimed Colombian accordionist from San Jacinto, will be a 2027 globalFEST artist at Lincoln Center in New York City.
For the past two years, CCV has worked closely with Yeison, a powerhouse of the accordion whose electrifying performances carry generations of cumbia in every note. His music is a living expression of one of Colombia’s great musical legacies—and supporting artists like him is at the heart of CCV’s mission.
Carrying Forward a Cumbia Legacy
Born in San Jacinto, Bolívar, in Colombia’s Montes de María region, Yeison is the grandson of Andrés Landero, the legendary “King of Cumbia.” Andrés helped shape modern cumbia by bringing the melodies of Colombia’s Indigenous gaita flutes to the accordion, transforming the sound of Colombian and Latin American music.
Yeison began learning directly from his grandfather at age seven. Growing up surrounded by the rhythms, musicians, dances, and traditions of his community, he developed a deep connection to the music he carries forward today. From curating his own cumbia festival in San Jacinto to performing on stages around the world, Yeison continues to share cumbia’s joyful, deeply rooted sound with new generations.
After meeting Yeison, learning about his family’s legacy, attending his cumbia festival in San Jacinto, and experiencing his performances firsthand, CCV knew it wanted to do more to support his work.
Building a Long-Term Partnership
In 2025 CCV launched a broader, long-term effort to help preserve and uplift cumbia as a living tradition while introducing new audiences around the world to Yeison’s extraordinary musicianship. In partnership with Yeison, OM Producciones, and SecretPlanet, CCV has supported his U.S. touring and helped bring his music to new audiences.
CCV director Jon Lohman joined our good friend and partner Jim Thompson to take in Yeison’s home festival, Cumbia Fest in the hills of San Jacinto In January 2026. It was an amazing showcase of cumbia bands from Colombia and abroad, and scheduled as it was right before Carnival season, it might just be the happiest festival on Earth.
CCV has also provided support for Yeison’s recent album, Santa Lucia / Cumbia Sin Fronteras, as well as his upcoming album, which is now in production.
Bringing Cumbia to globalFEST 2027
A highly curated showcase for international roots-music artists seeking to build a presence in the United States, globalFEST brings audiences together to discover music from around the world. Its annual multi-stage event at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center invites audiences to travel across musical traditions and experience sounds that are both innovative and deeply rooted.
Yeison’s selection as a globalFEST 2027 artist marks an exciting opportunity to share Colombia’s cumbia tradition with an even wider audience.
CCV is honored to support Yeison’s work and help more people discover the power, joy, and history woven into this music.
