The Cuban Alternative Music Showcase/Presentation for NXNE 09 with Telmary, Alberto Alberto, Elmer Ferrer, Glenda del Monte, Rich Brown, and DJ Billy Bryans
KingBombo Habana NXNE
June 19
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas West
10pm to 2pm
Lula.ca
Billy Bryans Productions and Lula Lounge present the NXNE edition of KingBombo Havana on Friday June 19th at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West. Doors open at 9pm. Admission is $15.00 (Free with an NXNE wristband)
Lead by rapera Telmary and singer Alberto Alberto, KingBombo Habana is an evolving line-up of Toronto's potent Cuban music scene - playing the new 'alternative' sound of Cuba where the deep traditions of afro-cuban, son and salsa music meet the new world of hip-hop, jazz fusion and timba music.
The KingBombo Habana NXNE showcase will feature special guest guitarist Elmer Ferrer, who single-handedly developed the art of the Cuban electric guitar - and who has performed around the world with artists such as Sting, Interactivo and Los Van Van.
The evening will also feature an opening set from one of the rising stars of the Toronto Cuban music scene, keyboardist extraordinaire Glenda del Monte
Another special guest for the evening is Canadian bassist Rich Brown of the fusion groups 'rinsethealgorhythm' and AutoRickshaw, augmenting the KingBombo Habana line-up of regulars which includes keyboardist David Virelles, violinist Yosvani Casteñada, saxophonist Luis Deniz, and drummer Frank Durand amongst others.
Part showcase, part concert 100% dance-party, King Bombo Habana NXNE will be a night of afro-cuban hip-hop, timba, funk, and alternative Cuban music.
Says Lula Lounge general manager Tracy Jenkins, "We are real pleased to be a part of the NXNE festival and no performers from the Lula Lounge line-up are better suited for NXNE than Telmary and Alberto's KingBombo Havana."
The evening is organized by Billy Bryans, music producer, DJ and promoter long active in Toronto's latin and world music scenes.
Below please find the bios of the principal performers at KingBombo Habana NXNE
For all media information and other enquiries please call Billy Bryans at 416 887 8439
Telmary
A jazz poet 'rapera' from Havana, Cuba with uncanny communication skills, Telmary embodies the 'next wave' of Cuban music that has emerged from the island since 2000. 'A Diario', her debut album, featured appearances from Cuba rapper Kumar, members of Los Van Van and Spain's Ojos de Brujo. and in 2007 was awarded the Cuban Music Award for best hip-hop album. The album was released in Europe, Japan and Colombia gaining rave reviews. In Canada, Telmary has appeared at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Luminato in Toronto, Harbourfront, Jane Bunnett's Global Diva Concert, and with Cuban music icon Pedrito Calvo at Lula Lounge.
Alberto Alberto
One of the leading voices of the new generation of Cuban vocalists, Alberto Alberto was born in Matanzas, Cuba. He went on to perform and record with many of Cuba's finest musicians including: Manolito Simonet, Irakere, and Chucho Valdés, Since moving to Canada in 1999, Alberto Alberto has lead the wave of Cuban musicians who have transformed Canada's latin music scene. He has toured internationally with legendary Cuban bandleader Maraca and has recorded several albums with pianist Hilario Durán. In 2006 and 2008,
Glenda del Monte
With her classical music virtuosity and talent, Glenda del Monte has won almost every competition and award in her field - from the Toronto Arts Council, Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, York University among others. Her versatility and musicality has enabled her to perform with a variety of artists such as African superstar Ricardo Lemvo , Canadian music icons The Parachute Club, salsa superstar Alefredo de La Fe amongst others, amonst others.
Elmer Ferrer
In a country with a reputation for great music, Cuban guitarist Elmer Ferrer is one of his country’s biggest and brightest young musical stars. Since graduating from Cuba’s National Arts School in 1992, he has single-handedly pioneering the use of the electric guitar in a country not known for blues and rock and roll. perfromong with Internationally recognized names Silvio Rodríguez, Chucho Valdés, Sting, Interactivo, Los Van Van, and Maraca With his first CD as a soloist, Elmer Ferrer won the Best New Album Award at the 2003 Cubadisco International Music Fair, and has been leading his own project: the Elmer Ferrer Band, “known for wowing the crowds with blues rock sprinkled liberally with Cuban jazz” (The Ottawa Citizen, 2007).