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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Did we really squeeze the big sound of Living Colour behind the Tiny Desk? Yes, we did. And, yet, the band lost none of its intensity. -
The influence of Eastern Europe immigration in Latin America can be heard in the way the accordion was adapted and adopted in countries like Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and beyond. This week we take a deep dive into those traditions with our guide, Eduardo Díaz, former director of Latino cultural information for the Smithsonian Institution. Featured artists and songs: • Narciso Martínez, "Nix" • Carlos Vives, "Hijo de Vallenato" • Los Corraleros de Majagual, "La Pollera Colorada" • Luis Gonzaga, "Asa Branca" • Grupo Alma Serrana, "Puerto Tirol" • Francisco Ulloa, "El Farolito" • Tatico Henriquez, "La Invasión de Deiziseis" Credits Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. -
The Broadway musical is a living, breathing and deeply grooving homage to a bygone era of Cuban music. -
This week's mixture of jazz, trance-inducing beats, Mexican folk and gorgeous indie pop has something for everyone. Featured artists and songs: Paloma Morphy, "1 tipo nuevo" Camila Meza, "Persistir" Rusowsky, "Malibu" Ines Velasco, "Todo Es Para Decir" Pachmyan, "Hard to Part" Las Chorizeras, "Blue Eyed Man" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. -
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre talk artistic growth and precocious talent. Featured artists and songs: • Natalia Lafourcade, "Cancionera" • Natalia Lafourcade & El David Aguilar, "Como Quisiera Quererte" • Natalia Lafourcade & Hermanos Gutierrez, "Luna Creciente" • Irene Diaz, "Anything For You" • Eladio Carrión & Myke Towers, "Vetements" • Eladio Carrión & Lia Kali, "Me Muero" • Kayatibu, LUIZGA & Yaka Huni Kuin, "Nai Basa Masheri" • Santi Sc, "Cuando Nos Besamos" (feat. Dirk) • Santi Sc, "Home Run" • Maria Marquez, "La Lagrima" Credits Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. -
The popular Dominican merengue vocalist Rubby Pérez died after a roof collapsed at a popular nightclub on Tuesday night. Here's what the loss means to the vibrant Dominican merengue scene.
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Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play the new music that caught their ears this week, plus Felix delivers a deep dive into the roots of psicodélico. Featured artists and songs: • Eslabón Armado, "Esa noche" • Adrian Quesada, "Ojos Secos" (feat. Cuco) • Jessie Reyez, "**I NEVER SAID I WAS SANE**" • BALTHVS, "Year of the Snake" • Grateful Dead, "Dark Star" • Os Mutantes, "A minha menina" • Duane Eddy, "Rebel Rouser" • Valeria Castro, "debe ser" • Valeria Castro "sentimentalmente" -
Alt.Latino's Felix Contreras moved out of his long-time apartment, and in the process, he unearthed some amazing music. Co-host Anamaria Sayre shares the new songs currently moving her. -
The Honduran musician, one of the most recognized proponents of a Caribbean culture dating to the 17th century, died Monday in an airplane crash. -
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras gives his co-host Anamaria Sayre a primer on Latin Jazz. She returns the favor with a new track from Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (of Tiny Desk fame) and a Mexican ranchera that sounds older than it is. Featured artists and songs: • Edison Machado & Boa Nova, "Naquela Base" • Michi, "Memmy (Recuerdo)" (feat. Gabriel da Rosa) • Adam O'Farrill, "Nocturno, 1932" • Vivir Quintana, "Más Libre Que En Casa" • Lucia Sarmiento, "Look Up" • Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, "#T****" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
