The Caribbean coast of Colombia is the cradle of an impressive variety of musical rhythms and styles that represent the fusion of African, Spanish, and indigenous cultures. The genres include cumbia, puya, chalupa, mapalé, tambora, bullerengue, and zambapalo. Some of this music is at risk of disappearing, because young people no longer know how to play it. A Colombian musician, maestro of the gaita and Colombian drums, has begun making this music known in the United States and showing apprentices how to play it. Rubén Tapia reports from Los Angeles. This story is part of the series Raices: Stories of Grassroots Artists.

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