Xiomara is both the essence of the old Cuba, with its rhythmic folk songs, fused with a blend of today?s directness and clarity of voice, which is eventually matched with her deep laugh. It is that distinctive laugh that will soon captivate audiences from all walks of life with her swing style in all of her Cuban splendor.

Obviously, we are not in presence of a common manufactured phenomenon. This singer has a peculiar mystery to reveal, not only her vocal virtues, and flexibility, but a special sound, fluently ?liquid? and garrulous. Her range is such that the jazz influences seem to be a natural extension of her repertoire. She takes on each style of music and embraces it with her own stamp and authentic flare.

Xiomara released her U.S. debut album, Xiomara, in 2006 for Chesky Records. Xiomara is a lavish and sophisticated collection of old and new songs written by Meme Sol?s and Andr?s Levin, Descemer Bueno and with arrangements by Octavio Kotan and Axel Tosca. Until recently, se has been the leading vocalist in Yerba Buena, a New York collective with a brilliant mix of rhythms to which Xiomara added her African and Caribbean legacy.

Her collaborations include among many others: Omara Portuondo, the late, Elena Burke, Alina S?nchez, Miriam Ramos, Jacky Terrasson, Roy Hargrove, Omar Sosa, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Andy Gonzalez, Dave Valentin, Pablo Milan?s, NG La Banda, Amaury Perez, Issac Delgado, Overproof, Juan de Marcos Gonz?lez y su Orquesta, Sierra Maestra, Ron Blake, Kip Hanrahan, Carlinhos Brown, Arto Lidnsay, MeShell Ndegeocello, Femi Kuti, D?Angelo, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Ana Torroja, Meme Solis, Many Oquendo & Libre, Fun Loving Criminals and Busta Rhymes.

Her monthly showcases at New York City's famed Zinc Bar have been called ?legendary?. She has flooded the stage with her powerful voice in the United States, France, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Russia, Finland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Mexico, Colombia?

Official Web Site: www.xiomaralaugart.net & www.myspace.com/xiomaralauguartlanegra

Xiomara (Chesky, 2006)