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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NPR's Alt.Latino posts playlists weekly. We mine some recent playlists for some surprising and noteworthy tracks.
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In what's become an annual tradition on Alt.Latino, we remember those we've lost through song with reverence and a little joy. -
Sometimes the musicians who visit Alt.Latino prefer to express themselves in Spanish. Founders of the genre-busting Cuban band Sintesís share their love of Freddie Mercury and santería. -
The SoCal Mexican roots-rock and soul band drops by to chat about its new, self-titled album. Over the past decade as a band, the members now feel like family. -
On this week's playlist, Che Apalache, La Santa Cecilia, Combo Chimbita and Noa Sainz all look inward.
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Along with his trio, the pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer cast a spell over the NPR Music offices in this joyful turn behind the Tiny Desk.
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Los Tigres del Norte at Folsom Prison, a new Netflix documentary, shows the power of music to heal. -
Alt.Latino favorite Gaby Moreno teams up with the legendary arranger for an unlikely collaboration. -
NPR's Alt.Latino has a month's worth of special programming planned for Hispanic Heritage Month. Here are some stand-out tracks.
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The saxophonist, flautist and bandleader has been traveling to Cuba and performing its music for over 30 years.
