Arts & Theater

Bryant Park Picnic Performance: Carnegie Hall Citywide: El Laberinto del Coco

When

Fri, Jul 31 · 7:00 PM

Where

Bryant ParkBryant Park Lawn (in Bryant Park), Manhattan · Map ↗Midtown

Price

See tickets

Enjoy a free, Friday-night concert by the Afro–Puerto Rican bomba fusion innovators El Laberinto del Coco , led by master percussionist Hector “Coco” Barez. Blending jazz, funk, reggae, and numerous Latin influences with traditional bomba elements and instruments such as the barril and cuá, the band expands the boundaries of bomba while staying true to its intoxicating essence. Experience a high-energy sonic tapestry that has attracted fans around the world. El Laberinto del Coco is an Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion ensemble founded by visionary percussionist Hector “Coco” Barez in 2017. With a unique blend of sizzling musical ideas, Barez presents new ways to the traditional sounds of Puerto Rican Bomba. After touring the world with Ballet Folklorico de Puerto Rico “Areyto,” Grammy Award-winning groups like Calle 13, Bacilos and world-renowned bands like Bio Ritmo, Miramar, William Cepeda and Bayanga, Barez decides to embark on a new journey. In 2017, Hector Barez received a commission from the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts to record El Laberinto del Coco’s first album. With critics comparing this recording to Rafael Cortijo’s masterpiece The Time Machine , a new era in Puerto Rican music is established. At performances, Barez brings to life a unique concept with a very distinctive sound with rich syncopated horn lines, funky guitar licks, solid multilayered percussion and enchanting voices, making El Laberinto del Coco a fan favorite. During the COVID-19 pandemic, El Laberinto del Coco kept busy releasing singles and keeping people's hopes alive through virtual concerts. Carnegie Hall is honored to partner with local community organizations to present free concerts that are sensational celebrations of sounds from across the country and around the globe. At a Carnegie Hall Citywide concert, you can revisit your favorite music or try something new, stay in your home borough or journey farther afield. Whatever you choose, you’ll experience everything that makes New York City so vibrant. Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions.