Global Cuba Fest Descends on Miami, Now thru 4/6

The sixth annual Global Cuba Fest descends upon Miami today, March 9 - April 6, drawing music lovers and cultural cognoscenti from around the world to experience the best in contemporary Cuban music from artists based in Cuba, Miami, New York and Europe.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary as one of Miami's leading cultural institutions, FUNDarte is funded in part by the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council, the City of Miami Beach, The Knight Foundation for the Arts, The Miami Foundation, and South Arts - and joins forces with Miami Light Project to bring more than 40 artists and musicians.

Global Cuba Fest 2013 celebrates the roots of Cuban music and the genre's funkiest innovations, exploring Jazz, son montuno, bolero, trova, timba and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Following is a summary of some of this year's headliners:

Vocalist Ivette Cepeda
March 9th, 8:00 p.m. Miami-Dade County Auditorium

Direct from Havana, the Diva's first-ever appearance in the United States. Renowned globally as one of Cuba's most important cabaret singers. Sold-out dates during her recent European concert tour. Starring in the new film by French director Dominique Roland, Una Cubana en Paris, featured at the Sundance Film Festival.

Cuban Songwriters Based in Europe
Vocalist Yadam, Guitarist Pavel Urkiza and Singer/Song-Writer Julio Fowler
March 15th, 8:00 p.m. - Deauville Hotel Jazz Club

Leading the Cuban music scene in Madrid for more than a decade. Cutting- edge lyrics and electrifying energy. Afro-Cuban and New Age sensibilities collide with traditional Cuban rhythms and Jazz. Singer/Songwriter Julio Fowler's first-ever U.S. appearance. More at yadam.net, pavelurkiza.com and myspace.com/juliofowler.

Afro-Cuban Roots Spectacular
Chekeré Saxophonist Yosvany Terry, Pianist/Composer Osmany Paredes, Bass-Violinist Yunior Terry, Percussionist Pedrito Martinez and Grammy Award winning Drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (plus special guests, Italy-based Jazz troupe Italuba).

March 16th, Miami Beach's North Beach Bandshell at Collins Ave. and 72nd Street
7:00 p.m. - Yosvany Terry Quintet
9:00 p.m. - Drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Italuba

The quintet and their special musical guests push the limits of Cuban music of African origins, colliding with sizzling Jazz.

More at:
yosvanyterry.com
osmanyparedes.com
yuniorterry.com
pedritomartinezmusic.com
elnegro.com

The Creole Choir of Cuba
Ten remarkable Cuban singers of Haitian heritage
March 17th, 7:00 p.m. - North Beach Bandshell

Haunting vocal repertoire, honoring their Haitian ancestors originally from West Africa. Traditional Haitian resistance songs passed down from the early 1800s, blended with modern influences to create a unique hybrid sound.

More at: creolechoir.com

Songstress Gema Corredera
April 6th, 8:00 p.m. - Miami-Dade County Auditorium

This concert serves as the official release
of her first solo album, Derramando Luz
(Spreading Light).

Influenced by the rich tapestry of her Cuban roots, Jazz, Brazilian music, opera, Flamenco and
Afro-Caribbean rhythms.

For ticket information and to see Global Cuba Fest's complete schedule of concerts, artists, workshops and events, visit Fundarte.us. FUNDarte is a Miami-based multidisciplinary, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to producing, presenting, and promoting music, theater, dance, film and visual arts that speak to Miami's diverse cultures with an emphasis on Hispanic arts and culture.

Pictured: The Creole Choir of Cuba

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