[S1] HAVANA

 

SESSION 1

It would be inconceivable to miss Havana when putting on a show in Cuba. The majority of the country's musical talent has migrated to the capital and there is an outrageous wealth of artists to choose from. 

 

For this Session we are Championing The Women of Havana, bringing together an up-and-coming Jazz drummer with two rising stars of the international scene.  We have also picked a venue that in many ways ties together the island's past with the hope and optimism that we all have for its future.

 

 

 

IBEYI

Ibeyi are 23 year old French Cuban twins, Naomi and Lisa Kainde Diaz. They are daughters of the late Buena Vista Social Club percussionist Anga Diaz. 

 

Naomi plays the Bata and the Cajon, while Lisa plays the Piano. Ibeyi sing in English and Yoruba and have created a minimalist sound that merges elements of their father's Yoruba heritage with their natural love of modern music such as Frank Ocean, James Blake and King Krule.

 

YISSY

Yissy Garcia is an iconic figure of female percussion in Cuba.  She has recently launched her solo career as bandleader of a new musical project that experiments with key elements of Latin jazz, funk and electronic music.

 

Yissy has drawn huge inspiration from her father, drummer Bernardo Garcia and her lively performances have already lit up world renowned events, including the Montreal Jazz Festival.

 

 

 

FABRICA

DE ARTE

The Fabrica de Arte is one of the few, if not the only, privately held art centre in Cuba. Originally a peanut oil factory, it has now been restored into an incredible gallery space that hosts exhibitions, fashion shows, live music and DJ's. 

 

Open until 3am on the weekend, and at a stone's throw from downtown Havana, it represents the cutting edge of modern Cuba.

 

 

 

[S2] HOLGUIN

 

SESSION 2

Holguin is in the East of the island, and is a city that combines its rich Folkloric tradition with a forward thinking attitude towards new forms of art, such as electronic music, modern dance and audiovisual shows.

 

In Session 2 we are exploring the importance of religion in Cuban music by fusing House Music with traditional forms of Yoruba culture, to showcase Cuba's strong religious heritage and overwhelming desire to connect with the modern world. 

 

 

 

 

 

OSUNLADE

Osunlade is an American House legend and founder of Yoruba Records. He is a priest of the religion of Ifá, which is a vital component of Cuban Folkloric heritage. His music has a deep spiritual root in Yoruba traditions that are also reflected in the name of his record label and promotional material.

 

To date he has worked with such artists as Roy Ayers, Nkemdi, Salif Keita, and Cesária Évora. He also presents the WYRB Yoruba Soul radio show.

 

 

 

YORUBA

ANDABO

The legendary folkloric group Yoruba Andabo ("friends of Yoruba culture") play with singers, percussionists, and dancers, performing ecstatic percussion-driven tracks that reveal the ongoing influence of African religion and traditions in contemporary Cuba.​

 

 

 

AHS

The  Asociación Hermanos Saíz is a non-profit organisation with headquarters in various key cities across Cuba. Its goal is to unite pioneering young artists and intellectuals and give them a centre to perform their work.

 

In many ways the Holguin AHS is the perfect location to play out this kind of collaboration; they already have a unique voice within the city and their HQ is located in a beautiful colonial building and can accommodate approximately 300/400 people.

 

 

 

 

 

[S3] SANTIAGO

 

SESSION 3

Santiago de Cuba is widely regarded as the musical heart of the island. The city has sparked every major cultural, political and musical revolution in recent memory and will be a fitting location for the final show.

 

For our final session we propose showing the evolution of Cuban music, beginning with raw Folkloric drumming and moving through to Rumba, Hip Hop and finishing with Electronic Music.

 

 

 

 

MALA

In 2011, London dubstep producer Mala travelled to Havana under the stewardship of Gilles Peterson to collaborate with Cuban musicians and create his album 'Mala in Cuba':

 

"I was totally out of my element, but you have to do these things in life to change and grow, to learn about yourself and to learn about other people as well... I don't know if I can even work with these [Cuban musicians] because they're on a totally different level musically, and I feel so inferior"

 

 

 

OBBATUKE

& TNT RESISTENCIA

Fusing Hip Hop with traditional Rumba, this collaboration is a perfect representation of the modernisation of Cuban music. Both bands have an acute understanding of the island's rich cultural heritage and are at the peak of their respective genres.

 

For this session they can play together, separately or in collaboration with Mala to take the Boiler Room audience on an incredible journey through the development of Cuban music.

 

 

HEREDIA

The Heredia Complex is in the centre of Santiago and boasts 4 incredible venues, including 2 imposing halls, 1 outdoor stage and a theatre. 

 

Already kitted out with a strong sound system, it symbolises the music scene in Santiago, and will be the location of the MANANA festival in 2016.