Nov 9 & 10: 'Voces' - Latino boleros, Gypsy flamenco, African-American jazz & blues at the Fountain

Forever Flamenco and Cihtli Ocampo will debut Voces ("Voices"), a genre and culture-crossing dance spectacle, at the Fountain Theatre. A limited two performance engagement takes place on Thursday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Nov. 10, both at 8 p.m.

Featuring edgy choreography, risk-taking improvisation and live musical accompaniment, Voces takes the audience on a daring dance journey through the vocal styles of Latino boleros, Gypsy flamenco and African-American jazz and blues. Acclaimed Spanish dancer Ocampo is joined on stage by renowned bolero, flamenco and jazz/blues singers Stephanie Amaro, Luis de la Tota and Maiya Sykes. Musical direction is by All About Jazz featured artist Ethan Margolis, and accompanying musicians include Reggie Hamiltonon upright bass and Venezuelan cajón virtuoso Diego Álvarez on hybrid percussion.

According to Ocampo and Margolis, "The Gypsy school of flamenco contains some of the most tasteful and elevated rhythmic concepts we have ever encountered. On the other hand, our love and respect for African-American spirituals and Cihtli's Mexican Roots extend beyond words. Anything is possible when cultural awareness becomes a true life priority."

Cihtli Ocampo "La Gallardí" studied at the Ailey School and Steps On Broadway. The first 20 years of her career focused on jazz, tap, African, modern and ballet. In 1999, Ms. Ocampo was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study flamenco dance in Spain, which changed her career forever. After apprenticing under the Farruco Family in Seville, Spain, she became a member of their company, performing in Farruquito'sAlma Vieja and also as a soloist alongside La Farruca in Familia Farruco. Ocampo has shared the stage with many of flamenco´s most recognized artists, including Manuel Molina, Farruquito, Montse Cortés, Miguel Funi, Inés Bacán, Concha Vargas, José Valencia, Román Vicenti and Antonio Moya. In 2006, Ocampo and her husband, Ethan Margolis, founded the touring roots flamenco company Arte Y Pureza ("Art and Purity") to showcase the improvisational and roots qualities of Gypsy flamenco and feature the art of Cante Jondo Gitano ("Deep Gypsy Song").

Ethan Margolis spent 11 years in Seville, Spain immersed in the Gypsy circuit of Andalusian flamenco music. In 2006, Margolis premiered his flamenco touring company Arte Y Pureza ("Art and Purity"), which toured internationally for the next six years. Since returning to the U.S., Margolis has dedicated himself to furthering the investigations started by MiLes Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Sabicas into the essential ties between jazz, blues and flamenco. Margolis's first CD release for a jazz quintet was in 2014 with Soleangeles. In 2016, he debuted his first original vocal album, "Sonikete Blues," which was recorded in Andalusia and Los Angeles and featured as an iTunes "editor's choice." Margolis continues to perform and collaborate with top jazz and flamenco artists and is currently working on his second solo album with famed Spanish pianist and Blue Note artist, Chano Domínguez. Margolis is also in the progress of composing the original music for Tsigan, a poem by USC professor Cecilia Woloch about the Gypsy Holocaust in WWII. Margolis's guitar playing was recently featured on Sufi artist Omar Faruk Tekbiliek's 2017 CD release.

Jazz and blues vocalist Maiya Sykes studied with Nina Simone and BetTy Carter. She has provided back-up vocals for The Black Eyed Peas, Fantasia, Joss Stone, Michael Buble, Leona Lewis and Rita Ora, and was a featured backup singer for Macy Gray's live show for more than five years. She recently provided backgrounds and was featured in the Oscar award-winning film La La Land and is the lead singer for rock, vintage soul, R&B, hip-hop and jazz band The Endangered.

Mexican bolero singer Stephanie Amaro is a Latin Grammy-nominated Mexican-American recording artist who has performed and recorded with artists ranging from Lady Gaga to Natalia LaFourcade. With a voice that has been described as "Eydie Gorme meets Ann Wilson," she has been recognized by the Pasadena Art Society, the City of L.A. Mayor's office and the Angel Awards, and has performed for President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and producer David Foster.

Gypsy singer, percussionist and palmero Luis de la Tota was born in one of the oldest Gypsy neighborhoods of Jerez de La Frontera, El Barrio de Santiago. He tours with flamenco's top artists such as Antonio Del Pipa, Maria Del Mar Moreno, Fernando de La Morena, El Capullo, Moraito, Diego Carrasco and Angelita Vargas. As a flamenco lyricist, his verses (letras) have been recorded widely.

Voces takes place on Thursday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Nov. 10, both at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$50. TheFountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.

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