Two cities, a continuing conversation
Born in Bogotá and based in Boston, Nicko Guerrero works at the meeting point of Colombian musical traditions and contemporary jazz. His identity as a drummer is connected to his work as a composer: rhythm shapes the material, the ensemble and the way a piece develops.
A place to develop the music
Graduate study at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute gave Pura Bulla a setting in which to develop. Guerrero’s master’s project, published in 2019, explores the relationship between bullerengue and jazz. A post-master fellowship continued that period of musical inquiry.
The ensemble as a meeting place
Pura Bulla brings together musicians from different traditions. That encounter is central to the project: the music allows individual voices to respond to one another through improvisation. His wider performing work includes collaborations with artists such as Luciana Souza and Jesús Molina, as well as musical settings beyond jazz.
Hear the work
For listeners and presenters discovering Nicko’s music, Pura Bulla is a place to begin. The record, videos and artist kit offer different views of the same musical path. Performance enquiries can be discussed directly with Nicko, including the programme and ensemble for a particular venue or festival.
