Watch Carlos Vives’ “Tiny Desk” with La Provincia HERE.
Miami, Florida (September 23, 2025) — As part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, NPR Music presents its special series titled “El Tiny”, a takeover of the Tiny Desk by artists from across Latin America. Within this context, iconic Colombian artist Carlos Vives, joined by his legendary band La Provincia, delivered an intimate and vibrant performance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his iconic album La Tierra del Olvido, a project that showcases the cultural diversity and musical richness that have defined his career. In Vives’ own words, it was an experience meant to honor “everything we are.”
Recorded at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., Carlos Vives transformed the Tiny Desk into a festive explosion of sounds that intertwined tradition and modernity—a perfect moment to celebrate our Hispanic heritage.
Traditional instruments like the gaita, flauta e’ millo, and accordion blended seamlessly with guitars, keyboards, and modern percussion, offering a musical journey filled with identity, joy, and pride.
During the performance, Vives played songs from his new album La Tierra del Olvido – 30 Years (Remastered and Expanded), including gems like “La Cachucha Bacana”, “Diosa Coronada”, “Ella” and “Agua.” He also included some of his biggest hits such as “La Tierra del Olvido” and “Pa’ Mayté,” which he originally intended to close the session with. However, the energy of the moment and an ovation from the audience led him to perform one more song, ending on a high note with a sublime, emotional rendition of his global classic “Fruta Fresca.”
In one of the most heartfelt moments of the concert, Vives shared:“Thirty years ago, we wrote this album. I didn’t really know what we were doing at the time. Over the years, I realized it was about my family, looking for who I am and finding my roots. That drawing you see on the cover of La Tierra del Olvido, that’s my family—everything we are. We are Spanish, American, Indigenous, Afro… and beyond that, we have blended our blood. That makes who we are even more valuable.”
La Provincia – Band Members:
- Paola Cera, Melissa Mejía, Rashid “Bombom” Zawady – Vocals
- Mayte Montero – Gaita, percussion, arrangements
- Christian Camilo Peña – Accordion
- Carlos Iván Medina – Keyboards
- Daniel Cadena – Guitar
- Andrés Leal – Guitar
- Luis Ángel “El Papa” Pastor – Bass
- Adrián Viafara – Clarinet
- Kike Cuao, Darwin Escorcia – Percussion
Carlos Vives’ Tiny Desk with La Provincia was more than just a concert: it was a tribute to his roots, a celebration of what he discovered 30 years ago with La Tierra del Olvido, a festivity of identity, and a reaffirmation of the diversity that defines Latin American cultures.
The set design also included symbolic elements from his homeland, notably a mochila (traditional bag) that read: “La Tierra del Olvido – Tiny Desk Concerts.”The mochila was handcrafted by Kunsamu, a women-led initiative uniting over 200 Arhuaco artisans from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Each piece is handwoven with traditional sheep’s wool, dyed in colors inspired by Mother Earth, and crafted using ancestral techniques passed down through generations.
From September 15 to October 15, NPR highlights the multiple voices, sounds, and cultures that make up the richness of Hispanic heritage around the world. Carlos Vives’ performance is now available on NPR Music’s official YouTube channel.
Watch Carlos Vives’ “Tiny Desk” with La Provincia HERE:
