In two new episodes of State of the Arts on PBS, we are treated to profiles of NJ Master Puerto Rican Artists Nanette Hernandez, Juan Cartagena and Nelson Baez who are cherished by Perth Amboy. All three were recipients of the State’s first prestigious Heritage Fellowship Awards that recognize exemplary folk and traditional artists. Heritage Fellowships are New Jersey’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts, and are one-time, $20,000 awards each to individual New Jersey folk and traditional artists to help them pursue their artistic goals.

In Episode Part 1, PBS profiles Puerto Rican Bomba Master Artist Nelson Baez who has been working with the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development (PRAHD) in Perth Amboy to host a Bomba Academy. Nelson, a percussionist together with his wife Magda, a dancer in their ensemble band Cimarrones, have been teaching lessons in Perth Amboy in Puerto Rican Bomba music including drumming, dancing and singing. Cimarrones has also been giving performances at the Senior Center in Perth Amboy. Nelson Baez was a Perth Amboy Police Officer, and Board Member of La Casta de Education y Cultural Latina that operated out of 339 Reade St.

In Episode Part 11, PBS profiles Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena Master Artists Nanette Hernandez, and Juan Cartagena. Percussionist Juan Cartagena and dancer Nanette Hernández formed the ensemble group Segunda Quimbamba. In Segunda Quimbamba the married couple combine their passion for social justice with the practice of Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena. This legendary group has performed and taught lessons for years, traveling the world celebrating and sharing Puerto Rican Heritage. Juan Cartagena is an award winning Civil Rights Attorney and teacher who has inspired many.

Segunda Quimbamba has been coming to perform in Perth Amboy for years, most recently performing at the Waterfront Arts Festival hosted by the Perth Amboy Arts Council, and the Ferry Slip Music Series and Holiday Parranda hosted by Perth Amboy Artworks.