The Havana Cultura live tour is the latest in a series of cultural projects from Havana Cultura, a global art initiative from Havana Club rum, celebrating fresh talent across all artistic disciplines. Powered by Roberto Fonseca and his acclaimed band, the concerts will feature Cuban star Danay (described by Gilles Peterson as ‘Cuba’s Jill Scott’), as well as Ogguere, one of the hottest and most inventive hip hop acts in Cuba.
Roberto Fonseca has shared the stage with Cuban legends such as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. For The Havana Cultura Band, he is joined by an all-star group featuring old school master reedsman Javier Zalba (Irakere), the most versatile bass-player in Cuba Omar Gonzalez, drummer Ramses Rodriguez (Chucho Valdes), Joel Hierrezuelo on congas, producer/percussionist Vince Vella and Gilles Peterson, the mastermind behind Havana Cultura Remixed, live onstage.
Revelling in his role as executive producer, Gilles Peterson comments: “You never have to listen hard to hear the music in Havana – it’s in the very lifeblood of the city itself and you can literally taste the energy and vibe. The Havana Cultura initiative encourages these artists to showcase their work and achieve the credit and recognition they deserve worldwide.”
Recordings available: Havana Cultura: Remixed, Havana Cultura: New Cuba Sound
Forthcoming European tour dates
Sat 26th June at Place des Quinconces (tent), Bordeaux, France
Sun 27th June at Festival Afro-Latino, Bree, Belgium
Weds 30th June at Museumsquartier Jazz Fest Wien, Austria
Fri 2nd July at Roskilde, Denmark
Sat 3rd July at SAGE Gateshead UK
Tues 6th July at Barbican, London UK
Fri 9th July at Worldwide Festival, Sete, France
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
