Felix Contreras
Felix Contreras is co-creator and host of Alt.Latino, NPR's pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture since 2010.
In addition to his post behind the mic, Contreras programs music from the Latin diaspora for the acclaimed Tiny Desk concerts and hosts a weekly Instagram Live interview with a wide-ranging roster of guests.
A knowledgeable international ambassador for Latino heritage and arts, "Tio Felix '' travels extensively in search of new talent and new music and captures important legacy performers in jazz and Latin genres. Various national and international publications have quoted his expertise on the contemporary influences of Latin culture, music, and media.
His a recovering TV journalist whose first post at NPR in 2001 was as a Producer/Reporter for the NPR News Arts Desk. He is also NPR's resident Deadhead and performs around the DC area with his Latin music Beatles cover band, Los Day Trippers.
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It's been 10 years since Chilean-French hip-hop artist Ana Tijoux dropped an album. She's back with Vida, and talks about her return to recording.
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NPR's Alt.Latino followed break-out trio Yahritza y Su Esencia on tour to document how their identity, and connection to regional Mexican music was shaped in their farmworker community.
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For 75 years, Tico Records has produced Latin soul music of the highest order. A new compilation — Hit the Bongo! — celebrates Tico's anniversary.
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre, hosts of the Alt.Latino podcast, about the upcoming "El Tiny" Tiny Desk Concerts that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Friday marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. African-Americans created the art form, but Latinos played a historic role in the birth and evolution of hip-hop.
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Two songs with regional Mexican ties are currently in the Top 10 on the American pop charts.
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Alt.Latino cues up some new music for the new year, including a piece from a Colombian musician with a flair for the accordion and another from a Brazilian artist mixing folk with electronic music.
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Earlier this month, Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir took the stage with the National Symphony Orchestra. Their collaboration had attendees in tie dye and tuxedos dancing in the aisles.
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NPR's Alt.Latino is featuring some of the summer's hottest releases in Latin music.
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To kick off summer, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe and Felix Contreras, host of Alt.Latino, discuss an album by Cuba musician X Alfonso.