Martín Vejarano: Multi-instrumentalist, Composer & Educator.
Born on a leap day in Bogotá, Colombia, Martín was surrounded by the arts from an early age. In addition to composing music for a variety of ensembles, Martín's primary focus has been on traditional Colombian music, with an emphasis on Gaita/Cumbia music. Furthermore, developing the 'Colombian Drum Set' has been Martín's passion since his freshman years at INCCA University in Bogotá in the 90s. He holds degrees in Jazz Percussion from The Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music and in Music Theory from The City College of New York.
As an educator and music instructor, Vejarano is currently a staff member at The Third Street School of Music, The Flushing Town Hall and a long-time collaborator with the Center For Traditional Music And Dance, through which he has received the NYSCA Master-Apprentice fellowship to teach traditional Gaita Music several times.
Martín, based in NYC since 1999, currently directs and leads the following music projects: La Cumbiamba eNeYé, Cumbia River Band, Chia’s Dance Party, Martín & Tito, and his teaching school, NYC Gaita Club
In 2026, Martín is releasing a series of recordings written for the traditional gaita larga format under the Magia Gaitera project. On January 10th, he recorded El Cazador live in Cartagena, Colombia—the first of these sessions. He produced and directed both the music and the videos for the project, which features four singles releasing from March through May in collaboration with Viewcy Records.
The album audio is currently available on Bandcamp and arrives on all major streaming platforms on April 4th. Later this year, Martín will also record Fandango Largo and Gaitas Around The World both of which are part of the new gaita larga series he is currently composing. Additionally, he will film a live session with his brass quintet, CHIA’s Dance Party."
