The new album, Yo, will be out this Spring and is his most daring one to date. Fonseca, the Buena Vista Social Club prodigy and Havana Cultura star, explores new sounds and dimensions blending traditional acoustic instruments with elements of electronica and pays homage to Cuba’s African roots while striking forwards with red-hot grooves, electronic beats and sensuous lyricism that effortlessly updates Cuba’s musical lineage.
Opening for Roberto on this Black Routes tour is Ayanna, the first non-American to win the legendary Amateur Night Live at the Harlem Apollo, whose beguiling vocals skip and swing over intimate, honey-sweet cello. Her music was recently celebrated in an evening devoted to her work at the Kings Place Festival in London.
Last year Ayanna was commissioned to write a new piece for the Bath Festival, following residencies at Wigmore Hall and Aldeburgh. She’s just finished a UK tour with Natty and recording in New York with Kronos Quartet, which neatly captures her full range.
Tour Dates
Fri 23 March – Gateshead, The Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm
http://www.thesagegateshead.org / 0191 443 4661 / Tickets £19.50 + bkg
Sat 24 March – Manchester, RNCM, 7.30pm
http://www.rncm.ac.uk / 0161 907 5555 / Tickets £15, £17.50 + bkg
Mon 26 March – London, Barbican, 7.30pm
http://www.barbican.org.uk / 020 7638 8891 / Tickets £10 – £25 + bkg
Wed 28 March – York, Theatre Royal, 7.30pm
http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk / 01904 623568 / Tickets £15 + bkg
Thu 29 March – Brighton, Dome, 7.30pm
http://www.brightondome.org / 01273 709709 / Tickets £15, £17.50 + bkg
Fri 30 March – Bristol, St George’s, 8pm
http://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk / 0845 40 24 001 / Tickets £21 + bkg
Sun 1 April – Birmingham, Town Hall, 7.30pm
http://www.thsh.co.uk / 0121 780 3333 / Tickets £15, £17.50 + bkg
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
