Egidio Cuadrado and Jose Hernando Arias Noguera. Photo courtesy of BBC Radio 3.
New: Follow José Hernando’s adventure in Colombia from March 23rd!
Source, BBC Radio 3 Website.
Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. The scheme targets forms of music and musical skills that are under threat to help preserve them.
World Routes celebrated the 2012 apprentice and mentor of the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy on the night of the 27th January, at the BBC Radio Theatre. It was announced that UK-based, 19 year old self-taught virtuoso JOSE HERNANDO ARIAS NOGUERA has become the youngest member of the World Routes Academy. His mentor, renowned accordion player Egidio Cuadrado -famous not only for being part of also very famous Colombian Vallenato singer Carlos Vives’ music group but for his own talent- flew in specially from the other side of the world, Bogotá – Colombia, to be at the BBC Radio Theatre and perform together with his new disciple. They were accompanied by David Morel (bass), Alfonso Mono (caja) and Jorge Cano (guacharaca). The concert also included previous Academy winners Hari Vrndavn Sivanesan (2011 – South India) and Khyam Allami (2010 – Irak).
Young José Hernando is a Londoner of Colombian descent who plays in a number of Vallenato and Cumbia folk bands in London and is currently studying for a degree in Guitar at the Tech Music School (West London). He was one of the Colombiagers who replied to our special announcement on August 24th 2011 through which we had the pleasure to let our community know about this new, unmissable opportunity at BBC Radio 3. All the Colombiage team feel very, very proud of him, and we wish him many success and a wonderful learning path leading to a bright future, starting in our beautiful Colombia.
From José Hernando to the Colombiage Team:
“Primero que todo quiero mandarles un saludo muy especial de parte mia y de mi familia, estamos muy agradecidos de lo que ustedes hicieron para obtener este truinfo de la BBC WORLD ROUTES ACADEMY 2012, ha sido muy bonito ver todo el equipo de redaccion de Colombia y de aqui de la BBC apoyando este hermoso folclor Colombiano, increible increible a veces ni me lo creo que este pasando por todo esto, es como un sueño hecho realidad le doy gracias a dios a mi familia a mi gente y como no en especial a ustedes, saludos y gracias por todo.
Abrazos,
Hernando Arias“.
From the offical BBC radio 3 press release:
José Hernando says: “I still can’t quite believe I’m going to be the apprentice for the World Routes Academy this year. I’m so excited and honoured to be taking part in the scheme and am really looking forward to working with Egidio over the coming months.”
Egidio says: “First of all, I wanted to say this is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction and a lot of joy. I’m excited to be working with José Hernando on this musical and cultural project which is very important to me.”
Roger Wright, Controller of BBC Radio 3 says: “The World Routes Academy offers a distinctive contribution to Radio 3’s unique world music programming. After substantial projects in Iraq and India, this annual mentoring project turns its attention to Columbia and promises to deliver another inspiring and exciting set of performances and broadcasts.”
BBC Radio 3 broadcasts a special edition of World Routes with performances and highlights from tonight’s event on Sunday 29 January at 10.00pm. Listeners can follow the musician’s partnership over the six months of the scheme through regular interviews, documentary material, artist blogs, recordings and performances in BBC Radio 3’s weekly world music programme, World Routes, on Sundays at 10.00pm.
For more information, please visit the BBC website where you will have the chance to hear a one hour podcast of the event until February 5th, and the World Routes Academy official website.