Jazzistas
A voyage into the roots of Cuban Jazz with an
exciting cast of contemporary female talent.
Featuring IYA WA and DAYME AROCENA With soloists Jenny Padron, Marieme Abdoulaye, Oriana Melissa, Maria Chiara Argiró, Monica Cruzata, Glaudia Garcia Supported by Michel Padron and members of the group Asere
The Jazzistas tour project pays homage to the great women of Cuban music whilst showcasing modern musical creation from a new generation. From Latin Jazz to the Cha Cha Cha the audience will witness a beautiful spectacle through which these young women embark on a voyage of musical discovery.
For decades now Cuba has been a meeting point for musical exchange between the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Jazz has often been at the center of this cross-fertilization and Cuba a melting-pot of talent and musical styles. Dizzy Gillespie coined the phrase ‘Latin Jazz’ after his first visit to Cuba in the 1940s. The pioneering trumpeter went on to infuse American jazz with Afro-Cuban rhythms. With such close contact between Cuba and the US from the 1920s to 1950s many American Jazz musicians were, in turn, inspired by the Cuban musical genres. Indeed, Nat King Cole recorded an album of boleros called Cole Español in 1958. The role of women in this musical evolution was limited to that of vocalists in certain song styles only and there were no female musicians. Over the years, women have gradually become a musical force to be reckoned with. The modern Jazzistas movement reflects this development and the tour project showcases young talent with soloists on trombone, piano, voices, and strings.
Also featuring, as special guest, the up and coming star Dayme Arocena. With her captivating charisma and radiant spirit, Dayme effortlessly blends traditional Santerían chant, jazz stylings, contemporary R&B influences, and Afro-Cuban rhythmic complexity for audiences worldwide: “A must have on any playlist.” (Billboard)
“[Daymé Arocena’s] voice opened up to approach the earthy, full-throated cries of Afro-Cuban ritual chants. But the music surrounding her was far from traditional. It was jazz from a piano-bass-drums trio, with the harmonic and rhythmic complexities of hard-bop and the melodic grace of Brazilian pop. Ms. Arocena unites cosmopolitan musicianship with deep roots.” – Jon Pareles, The New York Times
“There is something going on in Cuba that is, quite simply, raising the bar on music of all kinds. An incredibly talented and visionary group of Cuban millennials are reimagining their African roots through a lens that filters, jazz, soul and funk. And Daymé Arocena is literally giving voice to this movement.” – Felix Contreras, NPR
“Without a doubt you can’t talk about jazz in Cuba without including the women.” – Yarelys Dominguez, Havana Times
SOCIAL MEDIA