Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca will be in Cumbria next month as part of a tour to promote his ninth solo album.
Havana-born Fonseca will appear at Brewery Arts in Kendal on April 20.
Yesun was released on October 18. Fonseca said: “Yesun is the album I’ve always wanted to make. All my influences are here.
“All the sounds and vibes that make me who I am.”
It’s a trio album whose 12 original tracks are bolstered by Fonseca’s bandmates, drummer Raúl Herrera and double bassist Yandy Martínez Rodriguez. Guests include American saxophonist Joe Lovano, French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, Cuban rapper/singer Danay Suarez and bolero diva Mercedes Cortés.
Yesun delves even deeper into the music of Fonseca’s homeland, weaving in beats, spoken word, analogue keyboards, Fonseca’s sonorous vocals and more.
“I am presenting a Cuba without borders,” says Fonseca. “I’m building bridges between my AfroCuban roots and other styles of music and doing some of the crazy things I love doing live.”
Fonseca has been at the forefront of the renaissance in Cuban music for nearly three decades, releasing a catalogue of acclaimed solo albums between joining the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, touring with crooner Ibrahim Ferrer then with singer Omara Portuondo.
His 2007 album Zamazu proved him a performer/composer in his own right. 2012’s Grammy-nominated Yo featured guests including Fatoumata Diawara, the Malian singing star with whom Fonseca subsequently embarked on an acclaimed live collaboration.
