The NYC South American Music Festival, a showcase organized by El Colectivo Sur, has announced the names of the artists set to perform on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 19:00 (7:00 p.m.) at DROM. The artists featured include Cyro Baptista & Banquet of the Spirits, Los Crema Paraiso, Xi.Me.Na, Gregorio Uribe Big Band, Chuño (Sofía Tosello & Franco Pinna), Juancho Herrera and Sofía Rei.
These South American artists characterize a meeting point of traditional folk roots with jazz, rock, funk, world grooves, electronica, and avant-garde classical music, celebrating today’s effervescent and diverse South American culture. “We are very proud of this year’s lineup,” said artistic directors Juancho Herrera and Sofia Rei, “these artists represent the versatility and depth of South American diaspora and have all earned high kudos from top members of the music industry.”
About the Artists:
Cyro Baptista & Banquet of the Spirits
Born in São Paulo, New York-based percussionist Cyro Baptista has collaborated with a wide variety of well-known talent—from John Zorn, David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson to Yo-Yo Ma, Trey Anastasio of Phish, Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock and Sting. Deeply inspired by the Brazilian philosophy of anthropofagia, or cultural cannibalism Cyro Baptista’s Banquet of the Spirits incorporates Afro-Brazilian sounds, samba, funk, metal and freewheeling jazz, as well as elements of Arabic, Celtic and Aboriginal music. The band features drummer-percussionist Tim Keiper, pianist Brian Marsella, and bassist/oudist Shanir Blumenkranz. Baptista’s recordings include Banquet of the Spirits, Caym: The Book of Angels, Beat the Donkey, Infinito, and Love the Donkey.
Los Crema Paraiso
This powerful trio brings Venezuelan traditional music into jazz, rock, funk, latin grooves, electronica and exotic sounds from all over the world. With wide-ranging musical influences that include Aldermaro Romero, Tom Jobim and Pink Floyd, the result is a mix of “high speed bossa nova”, jazzy modern waltz, and percussive atmospheric music in the form of classic Venezuelan songs, rock anthems and original pieces. Los Crema Paraíso are Neil Ochoa (drums/percussion), Jose Luis Pardo (guitar) and Bambam Rodriguez (bass). Recordings: De Película and El Debut.
Xi.Me.Na
Armed with an array of digital and analog technologies, Venezuelan experimental musician Xi.men.na uses her voice to blend the music of disparate times and places, creating alluring sonic collages all in real time. Called “pop diva of opera” by Revista Paréntesis, Xi.me.na migrates confidently between avant-garde opera and electronic pop. Recordings: Joyful Noise.
Gregorio Uribe Big Band
This 16-piece orchestra blends danceable Colombian rhythms with jazz, funk and powerful big band arranging. The bandleader Gregorio Uribe, a noted Colombian singer and accordionist, has been a guest artist with Carlos Vives and Rubén Blades and was named by the government of Colombia as one of the “100 Most Successful Colombians Abroad.” Recordings: Cumbia Universal.
Chuño (Sofia Tosello & Franco Pinna)
Chuño is the brainchild of New York-based Argentinian musicians, percussionist Franco Pinna and singer Sofia Tosello. Based on the sounds of Pinna’s original instrument, the arpa legüera, which evokes the sounds of the Andean Charango, African Kora and Japanese Koto, this experimental musical duo expertly blends the rhythms and melodies of South America, Africa and Asia into one acoustically refined work.
Juancho Herrera
Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Juancho Herrera has carved a name for himself in the New York City Latin and world music scene. Drawing from his South American roots and the influence of jazz and blues Herrera’s has achieved a catalog of original songs and unique renditions of Latin American music. Herrera’s versatility and virtuosity as a guitarist have taken him around the world to perform with a diverse array of jazz and world music all-stars including Claudia Acuña, Marta Gomez, Lila Downs, Alejandro Sanz, Branford Marsalis, Mercedes Sosa, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and The Chieftains.
Sofia Rei
Sofia Rei’s music explores connections between the various traditions of South American folklore, jazz, flamenco and electronic sounds. She has collaborated with artists such as John Zorn (currently with Mycale and the Song Project), Maria Schneider, Bobby McFerrin, the Klezmatics, Pedrito Martinez, Lionel Loueke and Geoffrey Keezer (with whom she has earned a Grammy Nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album of 2009). Her latest album, De Tierra y Oro has received two independent Music Awards in the World Beat category for Best Album and Best Song in 2013.
The producer of the NYC South American Music Festival, El Colectivo Sur, is an arts collective based in New York City whose mission is to increase public awareness of South American arts, expand its concept to embrace contemporary and experimental works and trends, and bring together diverse communities through the arts. El Colectivo Sur strives to realize its mission by engaging in partnerships with international artists, collectives and organizations, producing and curating cultural events throughout the year, and promoting the development of opportunities for artistic creation and cultural and musical exchanges.
Event Information:
El Colectivo Sur presents the 4th NYC South American Music Festival Concert & APAP Showcase
Monday, January 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
at DROM, 85 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Tickets: $20 adv/$25 at door, Free with APAP badge
Event info: www.nycsamf.com, 347-709-8110
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
