“I want this to be an exploration and a showcase of my own self-exploration,” he tells me while his band, Concepto Tambor, practices in the next room. He is promising an all-star local lineup with key players of Mystic Vision, One Foundation and others, as well as a performance with Orellana on percussion and the truly poetic Priscila Baca Y Candelaria sharing her own beautiful and insightful vision. The intention of his show, as he puts it, is to “show that it is possible to put together a community of musicians that can work together.”
This unique event will spotlight Orellana as he performs with various Latin American instruments. South American pipes, surdos (a Brazilian-style drum), Peruvian cajon, Latin percussion and acoustic guitar are some of his choices. The show begins with a solo Christain Orellana performance and graduates into an eclectic assortment of musicians, traditional South American music and jams influenced by Bob Marley, The Beatles and other artists that have had influence on Orellana's career. Concepto Tambor will end the night with their highly danceable percussion and song.
New Mexico's music community has left permanent grooves in Orellana's musical skin, a story of his personal journey that he looks forward to sharing with others. “I’m excited about interacting with all these friends of mine and tapping into the different things I've done with music,” he says. “In the most humble way, I just want to produce a really good local show for people.”
This is the concept that Orellana has created. You won't want to miss this one-and-only chance to see a truly talented man and the gifted musicians he has brought together to share his musical life story.
Christian Orellana plays Saturday, March 4, at Harlow's On the Hill (21-and-over). Doors open at 8 p.m. Cover $5.
