music
April 5, 2026
Mourning in Colombian Salsa: Founder of Cali's Octava Dimensión Orchestra Passes Away
Cali's salsa scene faces a moment of mourning after the death of maestro Santiago Mejía, one of the pillars of the genre in the city. The impact of his career is reflected in the consolidation of the Orquesta La Octava Dimensión, a group that served as a breeding ground for talent.
TL;DR
- Santiago Mejía, a pillar of Cali's salsa genre, has died.
- He founded the Orquesta La Octava Dimensión, a group that served as a talent incubator.
- Mejía's career spanned over five decades, influencing Cali's traditional salsa.
- Musicians like Willy García and Jimmy Saa remembered him as a formative figure and a kind person who aided their careers.
- His passing has cast a shadow of mourning over the salsa community.