Homenajeados
Date of Establishment
Segunda Quimbamba was founded in 1989 by Juan Cartagena and his wife, Nanette Hernández, originally under the name "Los Pleneros de la Segunda." The ensemble was created during the Christmas season to preserve the Puerto Rican tradition of caroling, known as "parrandas."
Mission
Segunda Quimbamba is a Jersey City-based percussion and dance ensemble dedicated to performing and preserving the authentic Bomba and Plena music and dance traditions of Puerto Rico. Their mission encompasses educational initiatives, performances, and workshops aimed at promoting these Afro-Puerto Rican cultural expressions within their community and beyond.
Contributions to Puerto Rican Culture
Over the years, Segunda Quimbamba has significantly contributed to the preservation and promotion of Puerto Rican culture by:
Educational Outreach Conducting music and dance workshops in Bomba and Plena, reaching thousands of students in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, thereby fostering an appreciation for these traditional art forms.
Performances Participating in cultural festivals, parades, and concerts across multiple states, as well as internationally in Puerto Rico, Spain, and Barbados, showcasing Puerto Rican folklore to diverse audiences.
Recordings Releasing two recordings, "Aquí También" in 2010 and "Experimental y Tradicional" in 2015, capturing the essence of Bomba and Plena music.
Recognition In 2023, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts honored founders Juan Cartagena and Nanette Hernández with the New Jersey Heritage Fellowship Award, the highest accolade in Folk and Traditional Arts, acknowledging their lifelong dedication to preserving Puerto Rican cultural traditions.