by Marvin Ramírez
On November 2, 2024, Latin music and jazz lost one of its great exponents, bassist Jorge Pomar, who passed away after a brave battle against cancer. His musical and human legacy will endure among those who knew him and appreciated his art.
Born on October 25, 1950 in Lima, Peru, Jorge Pomar showed an exceptional talent for the bass from a young age. He began his career standing out in genres such as rock and traditional Peruvian music. In the early 1970s, he emigrated to San Francisco, United States, where he found his true calling in Latin jazz. There, his virtuosity led him to collaborate with prominent figures and to integrate innovative projects.
Among his most notable achievements is his participation as electric bassist in the recording of the Grammy-winning album Pacific Mambo Orchestra in the category of Best Latin Tropical Album during the 56th awards ceremony in 2013. In addition, he was part of notable productions such as Se acaba el Mundo (1996), which fused son jarocho with global styles, and performances with Los Cenzontles, a collective dedicated to preserving and renewing traditional music in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jorge Pomar was also recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with a Certificate of Recognition for his musical contribution. His dedication to art transcends genres and borders, consolidating him as a bridge between cultures through music.
Off stage, Jorge shared his life with Gladys, his wife and the love of his life, whom he married on August 21, 1968. His family and close circle were always a priority, and his loved ones remember his human warmth and the positive impact he left on them.
On November 2, family, friends and fellow musicians gathered at Driscoll’s Valencia Street Mortuary in San Francisco to pay a moving tribute. During the ceremony, cheers were raised in his honor, while some of his fellow musicians could not hold back their tears as they remembered his passing. These words and gestures reflected the admiration and affection that Jorge inspired throughout his life.
To support the family in this difficult time, a GoFundMe campaign was organized to cover funeral costs and provide future assistance to his family: [Link to fundraiser](https://www.gofundme.com/f/c8grf-support-for-papa-jeorges-funeral-costs?attribution_id=sl:001ac986-8e4b-4794-b375-81f8fc7de779).
Jorge Pomar leaves a deep void, but his spirit lives on in every note of the pieces he played, in the memories of those who knew him, those with whom he played, and in the legacy he built as a musician, husband, and friend. The music he loved and shared remains a living tribute to his extraordinary life.
He also leaves behind an extended family from a wife to children and grandchildren.
Note: El Reportero is preparing a longer story on the life of Jorge Pomar, and it will be published on El Reportero online: www.elreporteroSF.com. Stay tuned.
