La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley. wwwlapena.org
A 33rd Anniversary special:
Omar Sosa and John Santos together in a live demo/lecture at La Pena
June 6, 2008, 8pm, $15 adv/door
La Pea Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley.
510-849-2568
Omar Sosa and John Santos, reunited in a rare duo presentation for the first time in over six years, will share the spiritual/political/musical elements that drive their music. Their debut recording, Nfumbe: For The Unseen, was recorded live at La Pena in 1998. La Mar was recorded in the studio with special guests in 2000. They toured as a duo in Europe, the Caribbean, and the US, and will once again bring their highly acclaimed collaboration to La Pena. This presentation is part of Omar Sosa's residency with the San Francisco International Arts Festival
Omar Sosa
Born and raised in Camagey, Cuba, Omar Sosa is one of the most versatile jazz artists on the scene today: composer, arranger, producer, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. He fuses a wide range of world music and electronic elements with his native Afro-Cuban roots to create a fresh and original urban sound - all with a Latin jazz heart. On stage, Omar is a charismatic figure, inspiring his fellow musicians with his dynamic playing and improvisational approach to the music - an approach full of raw emotional power and humor. Omar invariably inspires audiences to their feet and to join him in chorus vocals, heightening the sense of spontaneity and connection.
John Santos
Four-time Grammy nominee, John Santos is one of the foremost exponents of Afro-Latin music in the world today. Born in San Francisco, California, John was raised in the Puerto Rican and Cape Verdean traditions of his family; surrounded by music. He is known for his innovative use of traditional forms and instruments in combination with contemporary music, and has earned much respect and recognition as a record and event producer. He has performed, recorded and studied with acknowledged masters of the Afro-Latin and Jazz idioms. This experience has provided a solid foundation for John's current groundbreaking work in bringing together styles, rhythms, concepts and artists from different generations.
Omar Sosa's residency will culminate with a Sunday performance at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival on June 8. For more information go to sfiaf.org Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, WESTAF, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and the LEF Foundation.
A 33rd Anniversary special:
Omar Sosa and John Santos together in a live demo/lecture at La Pena
June 6, 2008, 8pm, $15 adv/door
La Pea Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley.
510-849-2568
Omar Sosa and John Santos, reunited in a rare duo presentation for the first time in over six years, will share the spiritual/political/musical elements that drive their music. Their debut recording, Nfumbe: For The Unseen, was recorded live at La Pena in 1998. La Mar was recorded in the studio with special guests in 2000. They toured as a duo in Europe, the Caribbean, and the US, and will once again bring their highly acclaimed collaboration to La Pena. This presentation is part of Omar Sosa's residency with the San Francisco International Arts Festival
Omar Sosa
Born and raised in Camagey, Cuba, Omar Sosa is one of the most versatile jazz artists on the scene today: composer, arranger, producer, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. He fuses a wide range of world music and electronic elements with his native Afro-Cuban roots to create a fresh and original urban sound - all with a Latin jazz heart. On stage, Omar is a charismatic figure, inspiring his fellow musicians with his dynamic playing and improvisational approach to the music - an approach full of raw emotional power and humor. Omar invariably inspires audiences to their feet and to join him in chorus vocals, heightening the sense of spontaneity and connection.
John Santos
Four-time Grammy nominee, John Santos is one of the foremost exponents of Afro-Latin music in the world today. Born in San Francisco, California, John was raised in the Puerto Rican and Cape Verdean traditions of his family; surrounded by music. He is known for his innovative use of traditional forms and instruments in combination with contemporary music, and has earned much respect and recognition as a record and event producer. He has performed, recorded and studied with acknowledged masters of the Afro-Latin and Jazz idioms. This experience has provided a solid foundation for John's current groundbreaking work in bringing together styles, rhythms, concepts and artists from different generations.
Omar Sosa's residency will culminate with a Sunday performance at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival on June 8. For more information go to sfiaf.org Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, WESTAF, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and the LEF Foundation.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
