Strictly Mundial; Rockefeller Grant; Winter 2002 News

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Strictly Mundial; Rockefeller Grant; Winter 2002 News

Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa will perform December 7, 2001 at Strictly Mundial in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, a four-day World music conference and cultural event bringing together artists, producers, festival directors, distributors and record companies to exchange views and listen to new music. Accompanying Omar will be Gustavo Ovalles (percussion) and Martha Galarraga (vocals), both members of Omar’s current touring and recording ensemble.

We are also pleased to announce that Omar Sosa has received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation in New York to support the development and production of “From Our Mother”, Omar’s work for symphony orchestra and folkloric ensemble, scheduled for debut in early 2003 with the Oakland East Bay Symphony under the direction of conductor Michael Morgan. The new grant comes in association with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Omar’s ongoing sponsor of the work.

In January 2002 Omar will tour in France with percussionist Gustavo Ovalles in a series of Duo performances. Paris concerts include two nights at the Muse Dapper, January 25 and 26. Full schedule to follow in our next newsletter, or check www.melodia.com.

Omar’s next recording project will be released worldwide on March 12, 2002. Entitled “Sentir”, Omar continues his genre-expanding fusion of traditional voices and rhythms from Cuba, Morocco and Venezuela together with contemporary jazz harmonies and spoken word. Omar brings together the guembri, a traditional stringed instrument from the Gnawa culture of North Africa, with bata drums, Afro-Venezuelan percussion instruments, and singing from all three cultures. Featured on the CD are Moroccan vocalist and multi-instrumentalist El Houssaine Kili, Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles, and Yoruba (Cuban) vocalist Martha Galarraga. The result is a World Jazz sound infused throughout with a sense of freedom and spontaneity.

Omar’s first tour in the United States with his Septet is scheduled for April2 to May 8, 2002. Venues interested in presenting the band can contact OTA Records at 510-339-3389 or email music@melodia.com.

For more information please visit www.melodia.com or email music@melodia.com.

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