Juan Carlos Arrechea presents his new project: a profound and joyful celebration of his Afro-Colombian roots. At the centre of attention is his favourite instrument: la marimba de chonta. In this quartet, it becomes the driving force that brings together traditional Colombian rhythms, jazz and the influences of the other musicians. The result is a naturally hybrid sound and a vibrant tribute to his heritage from the heart of Colombia.

Among all the energy flows generated by Cie 4000, even before its original big bang in 2017, one has gradually gained momentum. Since its creation in 2015, the Franco-Colombian project Pixvae has always evolved and been fuelled by the energies of its members. Through successive trips back and forth across the immensity of the Atlantic, the phenomenon has brought some strong personalities in its wake… Among them was Juan Carlos Arrechea. And it was in 2017, when Pixvae took its perpetual movement of hybridisation a step further with the Kaixu project, that the marimba de chonta virtuoso appeared in the 4000 galaxy. Much more than a meteor, he is a veritable planet that has become a permanent fixture in the group’s evolution.

Juan Carlos Arrechea is much more than a percussionist. He has also been a composer, producer and author for some twenty years. The Bogotá native has travelled extensively and has performed in over 300 concerts in some thirty countries. He has collaborated in various ways with some high-profile and renowned projects in Latin America: La Mambanegra, Salsangroove, Chontadelia, but also ChocQuibTown, Monsieur Periné… Not to mention an appearance alongside the heir to the Nigerian Afrobeat dynasty, Femi Kuti.

In 2025, he launched his own project with Israel Quiñones (Pixvae) on the bombo, a great connoisseur of the musical traditions of the Colombian Pacific, which form the creative basis of the compositions. Two powerful encounters in recent years have completed the adventure: Lorenzo Morrone (Pambelé), a lover of Colombian Caribbean music, on cununos, and Hugo Reydet (Saroyé), an aesthete of salsa and music from La Réunion, on electric double bass. With all these vibrations combined, they present an immersive and percussive repertoire, connecting eras and cultures, with Juan Carlos’ marimba as the main focus.

The quartet’s first album was recorded at Studio La Ciergerie in January 2026 and is due for release in early 2027.