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Luis Mario Ochoa
As the primary force behind the emergence of Cuban music around the world in the early 20th century, Lecuona’s compositions encapsulated the spirit of Cuban, African and Spanish influences producing a library of music across multiple genres including popular songs, piano solo compositions, as well as music for theater, ballet and opera. Ochoa’s desire to pay homage to Lecuona began when he moved to Miami in 2014 to start a new chapter in his life and career. With a vast selection of music to choose from, he wanted to mirror Lecuona’s ample array of styles, by featuring his tropical songs, congas, boleros, criollas, Afro Cuban dances and a Sevillana flavored song.
A multi-faceted musician, Luis Mario emigrated to Toronto from Cuba in 1990 after receiving a BA in classical guitar at the University of Havana, Instituto Superior de Artes. In Canada, he expanded his musical career as guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger and band leader. His first album A La Cubana (1995) was among the first Latin recordings to be released in Canada and the first from a Cuban born musician.
Over the years Ochoa has produced and released three additional albums: La Fiesta (2000), Cimarrón (2005) and Momentos Cubanos (2008). Tracks from his productions have been featured on Canadian major networks mini-series such as Traders (CBC) The Associates (CTV) as well as in the films Brave New Girl (2004) and Bailey’s Billions (2005). Luis Mario has recorded and performed many times with Latin jazz luminaries such as multi-Grammy® award-winner Paquito D’Rivera and multi-Juno® awarded Hilario Durán.
Coinciding with the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Lecuona’s passing in 2023, Forever Lecuona will continue to keep the music of this incredible composer alive.
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Hilario Duran: Cry Me A River
by Pierre Giroux
Hilario Durán is a renowned Cuban-Canadian jazz pianist and composer known for contributing to Latin jazz. He does not release big band efforts often, but with the release of Cry Me A River, he has reconstituted his Latin Jazz Big Band to take us on an extraordinary musical journey, effortlessly blending myriad genres into his singular style. Durán's Afro-Caribbean cultural attachment informs the nine works of both originals and covers in this outing, resulting in a unique tapestry of sound. ...
Continue ReadingLuis Mario Ochoa Quintet: Momentos Cubanos
by Jerry D'Souza
Guitarist/vocalist Luis Mario Ochoa showcases his new acoustic quintet on his fourth recording. It's a departure from Cimarron, the nine-piece ensemble he calls a Cuban dance band with a jazz sound. Ochoa continues to find the groove as a composer and arranger as he mines Cuban and Peruvian music with all their attributes for thoroughly enjoyable listening.
Ochoa sets the mood with the sparkling “Simbiosis." The melody is catchy and Ochoa rides it on the guitar with round, ...
Continue ReadingLuis Mario Ochoa & Friends: Cimarron
by Eric J. Iannelli
Cimarrón (meaning “free spirit") is the nonet that Havana-born guitarist and composer Luis Mario Ochoa assembled shortly after moving to Canada back in 1990. This eponymous release is not just the ensemble's third album, but also a celebration of its fifteen years of happy existence. Musical guests such as Paquito D'Rivera, Guido Basso, and Ochoa's father, Luis Ochoa, Sr., were invited to take part in the fiesta.
And what a free spirited celebration it is. “Como Penélope," a song about ...
Continue ReadingLuis Mario Ochoa & Friends: Cimarron
by Michael P. Gladstone
It has been ten years since Luis Mario Ochoa's Canadian Latin jazz combo, Cimarrón, recorded its first album. On this new release, the guitarist/vocalist also invites Latin jazz star Paquito D'Rivera and noted trumpeter Guido Basso to join in. Basso spent years recording with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass.
The effort is a mixture of Latin jazz and salsa music. The ten selections consist of five originals, two traditional Cuban songs, two from the Great American Songbook, and a ...
Continue ReadingLuis Mario Ochoa & Friends: Cimarron
by Jerry D'Souza
Ten years after he recorded his first album, Luis Maria Ochoa and his band, Cimarrón, join guest musicians to make this self-titled third recording. This marriage of originals, a couple of traditional tunes, and music from his native Cuba are fertilized by the band, and the cross-pollination of styles makes for some fine Cuban jazz.
Paquito D'Rivera brings his clarinet along for his bright, snappy composition “To Brenda With Love. D'Rivera brings in whirling changes, ideas coming fast and endearingly, ...
Continue ReadingLuis Mario Ochoa: Forever Lecuona
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Born in Cuba, Luis Mario Ochoa today lives in Toronto. He emigrated to Canada in 1990, after completing an undergraduate degree in classical guitar at the University of Havana's Instituto Superior de Artes. In Canada, he expanded his musical career as guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger and leader. His first album A La Cubana (1995) was among the first to be released by a Cuban-born musician in Canada. So we're clear, Ochoa may have moved north but he has retained all ...
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Free MP3 Download: Luis Mario Ochoa's "Simbiosis" from Momentos Cubanos
Source:
All About Jazz
Download “Simbiosis," a free MP3 from Luis Mario Ochoa's latest release Momentos Cubanos.
Download: Simbiosis Luis Mario Ochoa 5:00 From: Momentos Cubanos
About Luis Mario Ochoa On Momentos Cubanos - Luis Mario Ochoa's 4th album and first with his new quintet “the Havana-born, Toronto-based guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger, bandleader and producer, showcases his virtuosity and versatility with authority. A nominee in 2007 for Canadian Latin Jazz Artist of the Year, Ochoa is ...
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"Momentos Cubanos" by Guitarist & Vocalist Luis Mario Ochoa Set for Release 4/8
Source:
MFA - Mitchell Feldman Associates
Acclaimed Havana-Born & Toronto-Based Guitarist-Vocalist Joined By Pianist Hilario Duran On Program Of Latin American Classics & Originals (Toronto, Ontario) On Momentos Cubanos - Luis Mario Ochoa's 4th album and first with his new quintet- the Havana-born,Toronto- based guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger,bandleader and producer showcases his virtuosity and versatility with authority. A nominee in 2007 for Canadian Latin Jazz Artist of the Year,Ochoa is joined on the recording by acclaimed Cuban pianist Hilario Durnand adynamic rhythm section of bass, drums ...
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Photos
Music
Cry Me A River
From: Cry Me A RiverBy Luis Mario Ochoa
Simbiosis
From: Momentos CubanosBy Luis Mario Ochoa
