The World Music Institute kicks off its vibrant, danceable World to Brooklyn series with Cuban vocal sensation José "Pepito" Gómez tonight, February 7, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. at Roulette. The show is preceded by an open cocktail hour beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Cuban dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., and is followed by an after-party DJ set untilmidnight. The specialty cocktail will be a traditional Cuban mojito.
José "Pepito" Gómez's "beneficent alarm" (The New York Times) of a voice has carried him on a fast track from playing with local bands in his hometown of Camagüey, Cuba to becoming lead singer of Maravilla de Florida, Charanga Latina Orchestra, and Habana Ensemble, respectively. He has toured with the late Compay Segundo of the Buena Vista Social Club, and was a lead singer of the Cuban mega-band, Pupy y Los Que Son Son before moving to the U.S. Backed by a powerhouse ensemble of NYC's Cuban all-stars, he moves from heart-wrenching romantic ballads to high-octane timba arrangements, replete with torrents of improvisations and frenzy-inducing call-and-response.
WORLD TO BROOKLYN
World to Brooklyn is the World Music Institute's vibrant new dance-party series that takes place in the cultural hub of downtown Brooklyn. Offering a socially immersive way to enjoy a culture's music, World to Brooklyn replicates a dance-party in a specific country-one can eat, drink, listen and dance to the culture-and attracts a remarkably friendly, all-inclusive cross-cultural mix. Utilizing the unique flexibility of Roulette's space (seats are removed downstairs to create a dance floor, while the upstairs has fixed seating for those who prefer to lounge), the series offers pre-performance dance lessons, after-parties featuring DJ's connected to the culture presented, culturally specific cocktails, meet-and-greets and art exhibits.
"The World Music Institute's World to Brooklyn series was remarkable not only for the virtuosic playing, but also for the casual atmosphere the organizers were able to create." - The Brooklyn Rail, April 2014
Upcoming World to Brooklyn Concerts
at Roulette
COLOMBIA TO BROOKLYN:
Gregorio Uribe Big Band (3/14)
The 16-piece orchestra's first album
HAITI TO BROOKLYN:
Boukman Eksperyans (5/16)
The Haitian supergroup since 1987
JOSÉ PEPITO GÓMEZ
www.josepepitogomez.com
José "Pepito" Gómez was born in a small town called Florida, in the province of Camagüey, Cuba in 1972. After a few years of singing with small local bands, the word was out that Maravilla de Florida was looking for a new singer. Mr. Gómez went in for the audition and was tested on voice and improvisation skills. Shortly thereafter he was accepted as a new lead singer. Maravilla de Florida boasts over 50 years of rich musical tradition and several number one hits in Cuba. This was the band that would begin to shape his future career as a vocalist.
Gómez later met Enrique Álvarez, director of the Charanga Latina Orchestra. Mr. Álvarez asked Gómez to join his band. He remained with La Charanga Latina for a period of two years during which he took part in several tours in Europe and North America.
After his departure from La Charanga Latina, he carried out a few solo projects and participated as in projects such as Colé - Colé and Azúcar Negra, which led him on tour to New York City's Lincoln Center in 1999. He also toured with the late Compay Segundo of the Buena Vista Social Club.
A big break came for Gomez when he was asked to join Habana Ensemble, a band that was formed by the members of Irakere, one of most important and influential Latin Jazz Bands not only in Cuba but worldwide. This represented a new challenge in his career as he found himself training at the highest level of Cuban musicianship, which motivated him to continue developing professionally.
It was during this time that he met one of the most important figures in the history of Cuban Music: César "Pupy" Pedroso. Mr. Pedroso was then the pianist, co-founder and composer of the most popular Cuban Music group in the world, Los Van Van. Van Van enjoys a 40 year history on top of the Cuban Music scene and and continues to thrive worldwide.
Pedroso was planning on starting a solo project that would be later known as Los Que Son Son. He invited Gómez to join his new band as lead singer therefore becoming one of the original founding members. With Los Que Son Son he had the great privilege to travel and present his music in the most prestigious venues around the world. He remained with the band as a lead vocalist and composer until his recent decision to immigrate to the United States.
Additionally, he was given the opportunity to share the stage with artists of the caliber of Gilberto Santarosa, Cheo Feliciano, and Compay Segundo, as well a multitude of other world famous orchestras and singers.
TICKETS
Tickets for all World Music Institute events are available for purchase online at www.worldmusicinstitute.org, by calling (212) 545-7536, or in person at the WMI Box Office at 101 Lafayette Street, #801.
Student and group discounts are available, as are VIP tickets for select events. Discounts are also available for WMI Friends with memberships starting at $70. WMI Friends enjoy priority seating throughout the season.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist
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