Buena Vista Social Club's Omara Portuondo Announces Last-Ever World Tour

Omara Portuondo, legendary Cuban diva and original member of the famed Buena Vista Social Club™, comes to North America this spring/summer for the final time as part of her worldwide "Last Kiss" farewell tour. Highlights of the tour's North American portion include performances at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles, Sony Hall in New York, the Barns at Wolf Trap in Washington, D.C. and the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. See below for a list of dates.

On the road, Portuondo will be joined by a traditional piano/bass/drums/percussion lineup consisting of acclaimed GRAMMY Award nominated pianist Roberto Fonseca, Andres Coayo on percussion, Ruly Herrera on drums and bassist Yandy Martinez.

Portuondo's last-ever worldwide tour comes on the heels of her most recent album, last year's Omara Siempre, and a series of high-profile performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at the Kennedy Center and more. "Her voice remains lithe and powerful," notes the Los Angeles Times, adding that "the audience erupted in an ovation equal parts appreciation and astonishment." NPR's "Alt.Latino" adds that Portuondo "brought gasps of delight, then rapturous applause, just by walking out on the stage."

Portuondo began her career by joining her sister Haydee as a dancer at Havana's famed Tropicana Club in 1950. In 1953 the pair changed their focus to their singing careers, finding success with Cuban vocal group Cuarteto d'Aida. In 1996 Portuondo was featured on Ry Cooder's critically acclaimed album Buena Vista Social Club, as well as in the accompanying Wim Wenders film of the same name, and remains the only original Buena Vista Social Club vocalist still performing with the group. In 2004 she became the first Cuban artist to be named an International Ambassador by the International Red Cross.

OMARA PORTUONDO LIVE

April 19 Los Angeles, CA Regent Theater
April 20 Berkeley, CA Freight & Salvage
April 23 Vienna, VA Barns at Wolf Trap
April 24 Vienna, VA Barns at Wolf Trap
April 26 New York, NY Sony Hall
April 28 Poughkeepsie, NY Bardavon 1869 Opera House
May 1 Chicago, IL Old Town School of Folk Music
May 2 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theatre
May 4 St. Paul, MN Ordway Music Theatre
June 26 Toronto, ON Koerner Hall
June 27 Montreal, QC Maisonneuve Theatre de la Place des Arts

photo credit Johann Sauty

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