Although Philadelphia musician, mentor, and arts leader Jesse Malpica-Bermudez passed away in September 2022, his impact and legacy continue to resonate.
As co-founder of the Asociación de Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) and Philly’s Latin School for the Performing Arts (LSPA), and as a Grammy Award nominee, Malpica-Bermudez’s influence lives on — not only through the memories of those who collaborated with him, but also through initiatives like the Jesse Malpica-Bermudez Legacy Fund (JM-BLF) and landmark events such as La Música Continua on May 16 at Taller Puertorriqueño on North 5th Street.
This community-driven benefit event celebrating the newest award cycle of the JM-BLF — designed to advance opportunities for musical community members of color such as North Philly singer-activist Nathanael Barlow — will give scholarships and microgrants on May 16, while featuring a live performance by Philadelphia percussionist-bandleader Foto Rodríguez y Charanga La Única.
Marángeli Mejía-Rabell, festival director and chief curator of the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival (running May 25 through July 6), knew Malpica-Bermudez well and is honored to continue the celebration of his legacy while supporting emerging talent, musicians, and arts and culture practitioners.
“This work is a direct extension of his commitment to community-building,” says Mejía-Rabell. “Jesse meant a lot to a lot of people because he created opportunities and advocated for all collaborators. When it came to collaboration, he was one of those partners who worked with you all the way through – highs and lows, good and bad. Jesse was the best in all us, really.”
Mejía-Rabell can speak directly to this collaboration as she worked directly with Malpica-Bermudez on several of her Afrotaino musical events at the Kimmel Center, along with co-producing concerts with the arts organizer.
“Jesse was very clear about the importance of the relational aspects of our work, of all work,” she says. “Forget an email, forget a text – call, talk directly to those you need to interact with. That was his way. Go see them. He was all about being transactional, as he knew that necessary nuances to an important conversation could get lost in a text or an email.”
Building community. Building longtime bonds. Forging forward with partnerships and collaborations — that was and is the Jesse Malpica-Bermudez way.
“The idea, the solidarity, of relationships were paramount to him,” Mejía-Rabell says. “When you’re working together in the field, there is an alignment of values that must be upheld. Everybody says that the world is small, but in Philly, even-more-so. And you know that’s true. Jesse did.
“He was a negotiator, especially as a producer and musical collaborator,” she continues. “He never ignored the possibility of exchange and the impact that direct interaction can have. When he produced a concert or an album, Jesse knew that along with having a vibe, that it had to have an impact… And he liked to have a good time. My goal, now that I am elder, is to share all of those values that Jesse taught us. Now, I have to keep my eye on all that.”
For La Música Continua on May 16 at Taller Puertorriqueño on North 5th Street, Mejía-Rabell — in collaboration with the Painted Bride Art Center — is ensuring that every aspect of the evening, and all efforts tied to the fund bearing his name, serve as a tribute to Jesse Malpica-Bermudez.
“We had these conversations with Jesse before he passed,” says Mejía-Rabell. “How are we going to carry on your legacy? And his answer was to make certain that our community understood the importance of the Asociación he built, for all musicians, especially older musicians after they retire, and the performing arts space he created for young musicians, their education and their future.
“Having Foto Rodríguez y Charanga La Única play goes back to the relationship that he formed with Jesse 45-years ago. Awarding Nathanael Barlow that grant in 2024 – what Barlow does is in the spirit of Jesse Malpica-Bermudez. Nathaniel stands proud because he took the time to learn all about Jesse, develop an affinity for his legacy and why our grant was for him. And that’s a very Jesse Malpica-Bermudez way to be.”
