Javier Nandayapa

Javier Nandayapa started his musical career in 1989 with the famous Marimba Nandayapa ensemble.

As a soloist, he started his activities in 1995, since then, he had performed at a large number of Festivals, universities, forums and has traveled 55 countries of the five continents of the world. He has offered clinics, masterclasses and has performed concerts in Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Mongolia, China, Kenya, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Saudi- Arabia, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Croatia, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, France, Poland, Canada, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala and Belize.

He has appeared as a marimba soloist with several symphony and chamber orchestras from Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, Mongolia, Paraguay, Argentina, Panama, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, & Mexico.

In 1999 he published, “Método didáctico para marimba mexicana” (“Didactic method for Mexican marimba”), the first work of its kind in Mexico.

As a soloist he has recorded fiftheen CD’s “JAVIER NANDAYAPA TRIO III” (2002); “PIAZZOLLA” (2003); “RETRATOS SONOROS” (Sound Portraits) (2004); TRIO ZUR/ “Fire dance” (2006); “LA ESPALDA DEL PANGOLIN” (The Pangolin Back’s) Suite for solo marimba (2006); “CHIAPARIMBA” & GREEN RIVER” Mexican contemporary marimba Volume I & II (2008); “RETROSPECTIVE” (2009), celebrating his 20th. Anniversary Career; “Agave Invention” Harp & marimba duet (2014), “THREE LATIN-AMERICAN MARIMBA CONCERTOS” (2017); “LA MARIMBA Y SU TRAVESIA DE MEXICO PARA EL MUNDO” Live in concert (2020); “ELOGIO A ZEFERINO NANDAYAPA” (2020); “ENCOUNTERS” (2020); “LA PEQUEÑA MARIMBA DE JAMIR” (2020) & “JAVIER NANDAYAPA TRÍO En concierto” Live in concert (2020).

He was awarded the State of Mexico Arts and Culture Fund grant in 1999 and 2009 and the National Arts and Culture Fund (FONCA) grant in 1995, 1997, 2001 & 2007. In 2012, he obtained the “FONCA Scenic Artists with career” 2012-14 grant, with a project that included 60 concerts in Mexico and abroad, and three CD recordings with Symphony Orchestra and chamber music. He obtained the “Ibermusicas” 2015 grant, with a concert tour in 8 countries of Latin America. In 2019 He was awarded again with the IBERMUSICAS & FONCA grant with a Project of an International Tour performing 45 Concerts, presenting 45 Clinics and master classes in 17 countries of Four continents (Oceania, Asia, Europe and America). In 2025, his Project “35 años de andanzas marimbisticas” (35 years of marimbistic wanderings” got selected from Mexico´s ministry of culture to accomplish an international concert tour of 50 concerts & 25 clinics in 25 countries of four continents.

Javier Nandayapa is sponsored by Marimba One, Innovative Percussion Inc. & Aluphone.

 “Javier Nandayapa, the true marimba ambassador over the world”

Ney Rosauro / Brazil (1952)

 “Javier Nandayapa, Mexican marimba´s ambassador in the world”

Rafael Santa Cruz / Peru (1960-2014)