Grammy-Nominated Afro-Cuban Jazz Star Elio Villafranca Comes to Sydney this Week

On Sunday 8th April, Parramatta will come alive with the vibrant beats of Latin music and dance for one performance only of Caribé, featuring Grammy Award nominated Cuban pianist and composer, Elio Villafranca.

Taking to the stage alongside Villafranca will be an 11-piece Afro-Jazz ensemble and Adrian Medina's troupe of Australian-based Cuban dancers. Together they will create a fascinating new exploration of Cuban rumba and son, cha cha chá and guajira music and dance styles, fused with contemporary Cuban jazz.

Villafranca is at the forefront of a new generation of remarkable Cuban musicians and composers. Classically trained in percussion and composition at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, he relocated to the USA where he established himself as a leading contemporary jazz and Latin jazz artist, making major creative contributions to the international development of Cuban Jazz.

Since his debut album "Incantations/Encantaciones" in 2003, the Steinway artist has released two more albums and received a multitude of accolades including Jazz Corner's Pianist of the Year (2008), BMI Jazz Guaranty Award (2008), a Grammy Awards nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album (2010), and the 2014 JALC Millennium Swing Award.

A spell-binding concert celebrating tone, tempo and colour, Caribé will transport audiences to Latin America - get ready to cha cha chá and rumba!

Tickets: Adult $44, Concession: $39. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres' Members. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60.

Bookings: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/caribe/ or from the Box Office (02) 8839 3399

Elio Villafranca with Palacio de la Rumba will be performed at 8.30pm on Friday 6th April at Trackdown Studios, Building #125, The Entertainment Quarter, Lang Road, Moore Park.

Elio Villafranca is at the forefront of the latest generation of remarkable Cuban pianists, composers and bandleaders that have been making major creative contributions to the international development of modern jazz. Since his arrival in the U.S. in 1995, he has been involved in jazz and Latin jazz scenes on both the East and West Coasts. Based in New York City, he is resident professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Villafranca was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards.

Professional dancer, teacher and choreographer, Adrian Medina was born in Havana, Cuba. He holds diplomas in folkloric and modern Afro-Cuban dance and music. He has been practicing hi craft in Australia since 2001. As an educator, Adrian has lectured for the Centre of Performing Arts, South Australia and the South Australia Dance Council. He has performed with Expressions Dance Company, the Australian Ballet's The Nutcracker, Opera Australia (Carmen, Masked Ball) and Bangarra Dance Company.

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