 Puerto Rico and Afro-Caribbean Culture 6 Dennison St., Boston, MA 02119 Tour and Classes Updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jorgearce.humano |
Jorge Santiago Arce was born in B�lgica, a working class neighborhood of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Ponce is a city well known for its rich cultural traditions and is characterized by the emergence and evolution of important Afro-Caribbean music and dances such as the "Bomba," "Plena" and "Danza." Half of Jorge's family comes from San Ant�n, mainly a black community known for the African tradition of the Bomba music; the other half comes from the music tradition. His life in the "barrio" B�lgica was filled with the Plena music. This experience, among other things, has contributed to his creativity and curiosity. In addition to being an actor, dancer, singer, and performer, he is also a cultural historian and researcher.
Jorge Arce's early exposure to the Bomba and Plena in Puerto Rico, helped him to establish a direct relationship with the Cepeda Family in the early 1970's. He was able to include them in television, record and theater productions. In 1979 he wrote, performed, directed, and choreographed the musical-theater piece "Melod�a en El Ca�o," in which the leader and choreographer of the Cepeda's Family ensemble, Petra Cepeda, played a leading role. This piece, broadcast as a TV special, was later recorded in the album "Tierra, Tierra" (Arto Max Records TFS 620, 1980) by Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, a renowned group of which Jorge Arce has been a member since 1978. It has been used as reference material in schools in Puerto Rico as well as in public school systems in the United States connected to the Puerto Rican community. Two more recording projects in which Arce was involved were: "Del Caribe al Brazil" (Musicaribe LP M001;1986), and "Moriviv�" (Disco Punto HPLP-001-1981). Both included Don Rafael's compositions. In all of them, the participation of members of the Cepeda family as guest musicians was very important.
Arce toured the United States from 1975 to 1982 as an actor and musician. Since 1983, it has been Arce's responsibility to expand the Bomba and Plena through workshops, classes, residencies programs and performances at school sites, festivals, parent and community organizations, and universities, thus becoming one of the most important cultural liaisons to the Puerto Rican community in the United States. After completing his educational program at Boston Conservatory in 1985, where he majored in Musical Theater, he decided to share his experiences with youth and children and to learn more from the community of people who best knew the traditions of his native culture.
Arce conceived Humano in 1987 as a result of an invitation to perform at the Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center in Chicago. About the same time, he became the coordinator of a successful cultural program in an human service agency and gained valuable experience leading cultural projects in schools and the community. He then rejoined the community as an artist and, by combining the elements of tradition with community and cultural awareness, Humano was born.
Jorge Arce received his
Master of Education
Degree from Harvard University in 1994. Arce is listed in Who's Who,
1984-85. He has received numerous awards, including: the Cardinal
Cushing Center Award for Outstanding Services to the Community 1987;
the Alianza Hispana Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to the
Continuing Growth and Success of the Hispanic Community 1991; the
Mayor's Recognition to Outstanding Contributions to the City of
Boston, 1991; and the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts, 1991. His
musical group Humano was awarded the Boston Music Award for
Outstanding Latin Act, 1990; Boston City Council Recognition for
Commitment in Building a Better Boston • African Diaspora Arts &
Culture Award 2013 for outstanding achievement in preserving diverse
cultural arts forms reflective of African People in the Diaspora.
Presented by ABDM, Inc.,
October, 2013 • 2013 Honoree by El Jolgorio Three Kings Award • The
Jorge Hern�ndez Leadership Award 2013 for excellence in creative arts
and expression of culture, history and pride of Latinos and the Latin
American Diaspora. Presented by IBA, Inc.
Jorge was recognized as a 2012 Traditional
Arts Fellowship Finalist by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. https://www.massculturalcouncil.org/gallery/artistDetail.asp?App=20121264
His cultural workshops and performances were programmed at more than 1000 schools, universities and educational centers. As a result of his experiences, his article "Bomba and Plena / African Retention in Puerto Rico" was written. It has been edited by Dr. Beverly Anderson, University of Connecticut, and was published by Calaloux Publications, N. Y.
Jorge
Arce receiving his Master of Education Degree from Harvard University
in 1994 with his daughter.
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Copyright � 1999-2022 by Stephen Baird
