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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Alt.Latino has a new story in its series, Songs That Move You. Listener Drisana Rosales talks about an old mixtape, with a Chicano anthem, that transports her back in time.
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Our friends at Alt.Latino feature a listener's recollection of how Linda Ronstadt's song "La Calandria" moved her grandfather to tears.
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Latin music is very often expressive and raw. The hosts of Alt.Latino, tell the story of listener Alejandra Marquez Janse, and a song that makes her cry.
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NPR's Alt.Latino takes over the Tiny Desk concerts for the next four weeks in celebration of Latino Heritage Month.
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The NPR Music Tiny Desk Contest got nearly 7,000 entries this year. Here are some of the notable jazz entries.
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NPR Music's Felix Contreras wraps up the best Latin music entries in this year's Tiny Desk Contest.
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Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras speaks with All Things Considered host Scott Detrow about the TV host who helped Tex-Mex music transcend borders.
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It's been 10 years since Chilean-French hip-hop artist Ana Tijoux dropped an album. She's back with Vida, and talks about her return to recording.
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NPR's Alt.Latino followed break-out trio Yahritza y Su Esencia on tour to document how their identity, and connection to regional Mexican music was shaped in their farmworker community.
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For 75 years, Tico Records has produced Latin soul music of the highest order. A new compilation — Hit the Bongo! — celebrates Tico's anniversary.