Browse Items (82 total)
Sort by:
Tuning for the Performance
Here Pepe is tuning his instruments for his performance at Whispering Knoll Assisted Living facility in Edison, New Jersey.
Tour of Instruments
Pepe takes the time to show us the instruments in his collection. He shared with us the origins of many of his instruments, and even told us stories of how he acquired some of them.
The Trickster
Eleguá is known for his childlike nature, which explains his love for candy and for playing tricks. Raíces Folkloric Ensemble member Nicole Wines hands out candy as Eleguá during the presentation of "Tale of Two Waters".
The Keeper of the Crossroads
A representation of Eleguá, the keeper of the crossroads, by the Raíces Folkloric Ensemble.
The Glass Case
Pepe's private collection in his Stanhope, NJ home.
The Flutes
The flutes
The Collection
The collection
Ten Stringed Cuatro
The Puerto Rican cuatro is unofficially known as the national instrument of Puerto Rico. It is used to play the traditional jíbaro music of the mountains of Puerto Rico.
Tale of Two Waters - Introduction
Nicole Wines introduces the Raíces Folkloric Ensemble Production "Tale of Two Waters" at the Elizabeth Public Library.
Strings Close Up 2
Strings close up 2
String Collection on the Wall
A portion of Pepe Santana's collection of stringed instruments from around the world hand in a wall display.
String Collection Close Up
A close up of a small selection from Pepe Santana's stringed instrument collection.
String Collection
These are the guitars and other lute family instruments that make up Pepe's strings collection.
Storytelling
As part of the "Tale of Two Waters" production, Raíces Folkloric Ensemble and Raíces Cultural Center Director Francisco G. Gómez explains the historical and cultural background of the traditions being presented and shares stories that help them come…
Song of the Andes
Pepe Santana plays and sings an Andean song for his audience in an indigenous language.
Song for the Dead
The Raíces Folkloric Ensemble plays "Aumbao Wa Ori", a song honoring and praising the ancestors.
Showing the Audience
Pepe holds up instruments to show his audience. This is a trademark of Pepe's performances. He believes in respecting his audience's intelligence by explaining to them the origins of his instruments and how they are used in Andean Music.
Shekeres
Raíces Folkloric Ensemble members playing an introductory rhythm on the shekeres and bell.
Raíces Roots Music Oral History Interview: José Gabriel Muñoz - Cuatrista
Oral history interview with cuatrista José Gabriel Muñoz. Download the full oral history interview transcript here (PDF)
Raíces Roots Music Oral History Interview: Jana Burton
Oral history interview with capoeirista and drummer Jana Burton.
Raíces Roots Music Collection - Oral History with Don Pepe Santana
Oral history interview with Andean folkloric musician and culture bearer Don Pepe Santana.
Raíces Folkloric Ensemble - Eleguá
The Raíces Folkloric Ensemble performing Eleguá during their presentation of "Tale of Two Waters" at the Elizabeth Public Library.
Quena
Pepe Santana plays the Quena flute. It is made of bamboo. It is often associated with "fertility rituals of resurrection and life." The Quena has been recognized as one of the most important wind instruments of Andean Music. It has even been depicted…
Playing for Eleguá
The Raíces Folkloric Ensemble performing a rhythm and song for Eleguá
Playing Cuatro
José Gabriel Muñoz gave the Raíces Digital Archive crew a short private concert after his oral history interview.