Kronos’ Fifty for the Future Composers

About Mario Galeano Toro

Mario Galeano Toro, born in Bogotá, has been focused over the past 15 years on researching Colombian tropical music and its diaspora throughout the continent. His search has resulted in influential tropicalista projects that range from roots music to experimental music, such as Frente Cumbiero, Los Pirañas, and Ondatrópica. His projects have been released on around 10 vinyl records, and performed in more than 35 countries worldwide.

He studied composition in the World Music department of Rotterdam’s Conservatory in the Netherlands. He has achieved grants and distinctions from cultural organizations from Colombia and abroad, as well as a Latin Grammy for musical production. He is a record collector of music from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. Galeano is a university teacher of music history, and a record cutting apprentice.