Felix Contreras
Felix Contreras is co-creator and host of Alt.Latino, NPR's pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture since 2010.
In addition to his post behind the mic, Contreras programs music from the Latin diaspora for the acclaimed Tiny Desk concerts and hosts a weekly Instagram Live interview with a wide-ranging roster of guests.
A knowledgeable international ambassador for Latino heritage and arts, "Tio Felix '' travels extensively in search of new talent and new music and captures important legacy performers in jazz and Latin genres. Various national and international publications have quoted his expertise on the contemporary influences of Latin culture, music, and media.
His a recovering TV journalist whose first post at NPR in 2001 was as a Producer/Reporter for the NPR News Arts Desk. He is also NPR's resident Deadhead and performs around the DC area with his Latin music Beatles cover band, Los Day Trippers.
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NPR's Alt.Latino followed break-out trio Yahritza y Su Esencia on tour to document how their identity, and connection to regional Mexican music was shaped in their farmworker community.
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For 75 years, Tico Records has produced Latin soul music of the highest order. A new compilation — Hit the Bongo! — celebrates Tico's anniversary.
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The 24th annual Latin Grammy nominations have been announced. The genre is experiencing a wave of unprecedented popularity, but recognition from the Latin Recording Academy seems to be lagging behind.
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Friday marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. African-Americans created the art form, but Latinos played a historic role in the birth and evolution of hip-hop.
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Guitarist, composer, arranger and producer Yasser Tejeda, from the Dominican Republic, has a new album out.
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Bolero Apocaliptico from Colombian duo Monsieur Perine, their first album in five years, shows signs of artists who are comfortable with their musical path and are expanding on it.
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Two songs with regional Mexican ties are currently in the Top 10 on the American pop charts.
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We share some music picks for spring, including new releases from the band The Mars Volta and the flamenco duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.
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This week a collaboration between Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera, in addition to a historic chart placement for Mexican artist Peso Pluma, pushed regional Mexican music to international attention -
The composer and saxophonist, who won a dozen Grammy Awards and recorded with everyone from Miles Davis to Joni Mitchell, died on Thursday, March 2 in Los Angeles.
