The Hamilton College Performing Arts continues the Contemporary Voices and Visions series when three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa brings his unique style of Afro-Cuban jazz to the College on Friday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m., at Wellin Hall in the Schambach Center for Music and the Performing Arts.
Omar Sosa continues to explore the African roots of traditional music throughout the Diaspora, using modern jazz harmonies and the latest audio technology. Sosa's new Afreecanos ensemble features Cuban drummer extraordinaire Julio Barreto, Mozambican electric bassist Childo Tomas, and Senegalese vocalist Mola Sylla. The ensemble fuses the folkloric with the contemporary, the tribal with the urban - all with a Latin jazz heart. Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune recently commented that "Cuban pianists often tower over their peers. But within this elite class of pianists, few have been more stylistically adventurous than Omar Sosa."
Accompanying the Afreecanos tour is a new live CD release titled "Promise." Recorded in front of a live audience at the NDR radio studios in Hamburg, Germany, the CD features the Afreecanos Quartet, plus noted Italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu, and Cuban flute player Leandro Saint-Hill. This live recording anticipates the release in February 2008 of Omar Sosa's next studio album, titled "Afreecanos."
Julio Barreto toured and recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba from 1991 to 1998, and is featured on the Rubalcaba recordings "Suite 4 y20," "Rapsodia," "Diz," "Imagine" and "Antiguo." Barreto has also toured and recorded with Roy Hargrove, Ravi Coltrane, Chico Freeman, José Luis Quintana, and Miguel "Anga" Diaz. In addition to the electric bass, Childo Tomas sings in his native Mozambican language of Ronga, and plays m'bira. Mola Sylla sings in his native Senegalese language of Wolof, and plays m'bira and xalam.
This performance is supported by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's Jazz Touring Network program in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens. Group discounts are available. For more information or to purchase tickets call the box office at 859-4331 or visit www.hamilton.edu/college/performingarts.
Omar Sosa continues to explore the African roots of traditional music throughout the Diaspora, using modern jazz harmonies and the latest audio technology. Sosa's new Afreecanos ensemble features Cuban drummer extraordinaire Julio Barreto, Mozambican electric bassist Childo Tomas, and Senegalese vocalist Mola Sylla. The ensemble fuses the folkloric with the contemporary, the tribal with the urban - all with a Latin jazz heart. Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune recently commented that "Cuban pianists often tower over their peers. But within this elite class of pianists, few have been more stylistically adventurous than Omar Sosa."
Accompanying the Afreecanos tour is a new live CD release titled "Promise." Recorded in front of a live audience at the NDR radio studios in Hamburg, Germany, the CD features the Afreecanos Quartet, plus noted Italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu, and Cuban flute player Leandro Saint-Hill. This live recording anticipates the release in February 2008 of Omar Sosa's next studio album, titled "Afreecanos."
Julio Barreto toured and recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba from 1991 to 1998, and is featured on the Rubalcaba recordings "Suite 4 y20," "Rapsodia," "Diz," "Imagine" and "Antiguo." Barreto has also toured and recorded with Roy Hargrove, Ravi Coltrane, Chico Freeman, José Luis Quintana, and Miguel "Anga" Diaz. In addition to the electric bass, Childo Tomas sings in his native Mozambican language of Ronga, and plays m'bira. Mola Sylla sings in his native Senegalese language of Wolof, and plays m'bira and xalam.
This performance is supported by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's Jazz Touring Network program in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens. Group discounts are available. For more information or to purchase tickets call the box office at 859-4331 or visit www.hamilton.edu/college/performingarts.
