Since he emigrated from Cuba in 1993, Omar Sosa has forged a distinctive musical path, fusing an array of jazz, world music, hip-hop, and electronic elements with his Afro-Cuban roots. Omar\u2019s newest recording \u00abIl\u00e9\u00bb marks a homecoming for the 7-time Grammy-nominated pianist and composer to the Latin Jazz influences of his formative years in late ’80s and early ’90s Havana. During this period, Omar savored the music of Pancho Quinto, L\u00e1zaro Ros, Rub\u00e9n Gonz\u00e1lez, Machito, Benny Mor\u00e9, Arsenio, Cachao, Lili Martinez, Peruchin, Chucho Vald\u00e9s, and Irakere. \u00abIl\u00e9\u00bb means homeland in the Lucum\u00ed tradition of Cuba, derived from the Yorub\u00e1 language of West Africa, and it is to the Latin Jazz roots of his native Cuba that Omar returns for inspiration on this new studio recording.<\/p>\n
Joining him on the project are three musicians with whom Omar shares a close connection: fellow Camag\u00fceyanos, Ernesto Simpson on drums, and Leandro Saint-Hill on alto saxophone, flute and clarinet, and Mozambican electric electic bassist Childo Tomas, collectively known as Quarteto AfroCubano.<\/p>\n
Special guests: Pedro Martinez, Marven Sewell, Yosvany Terry, Eladio ‘Don Pancho’ Terry, Kokayi, Jos\u00e9 ‘El Salao’ Mart\u00edn, Carlos ‘Vikingo’ Ronda and Zogaros.<\/p>\n