The 'Canarias Jazz & Más International Festival' has a stop in Arrecife this Saturday, July 22nd, at night. The concert will take place in El Almacén square and will host jazz performances with the presence of Carmen Souza and Caramelo Cubo, within the 'Canarias Jazz&más 2023' Tour.
The Arrecife City Council and the Department of Tourism and Commerce offer support and collaboration so that this jazz festival in the Canary Islands has one of its central stages in Arrecife.
The 'Canarias Jazz& Más 2023' program includes performances by Carmen Souza and Caramelo Cubo. Souza is one of the most sought-after jazz singers in Europe. She was designated as one of the musical ambassadors of the archipelago. Her style is unique and compelling, and her Cape Verdean roots are as evident as her desire to create a new language. On the other hand, Caramelo de Cuba is considered the precursor of the fusion of flamenco with jazz and Cuban music in Spain, as one of the best Latin jazz pianists in the world.
The Councilor for Commerce and Tourism, Eli Merino, has highlighted that her Area "wants to relaunch commercial revitalization and nightlife areas", especially those linked to terrace areas and hotel activities, which are mostly SMEs and generate employment.
Caramelo Cubo
The pianist, percussionist, arranger, composer, and musical producer Caramelo is considered the precursor of the fusion of flamenco with jazz and Cuban music in Spain, and considered by the international specialized press as one of the best Latin jazz pianists in the world.
Caramelo was born and trained in Havana, starting with the Benny Moré orchestra or the Conjunto Casino. As talented as he is versatile, Caramelo has recorded and shared the stage with countless musical personalities; from jazz (Deborah J. Carter, Jerry González, Paquito D'Rivera), Cuban music (Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo) and flamenco (Diego 'El Cigala', Enrique Morente, Paco de Lucía, Josemi Carmona).
Of Cape Verdean descent, born in Lisbon and based in London, Carmen Souza is one of the most sought-after jazz singers in Europe. After the disappearance of the famous Cesaìria Èvora from her land, Carmen Souza was designated as one of the musical ambassadors of the archipelago. Her style is unique and compelling, and her Cape Verdean roots are as evident as her desire to create a new language under the 'World Jazz' label.
Since the release of her first album in 2005, Ess e Nha Cabo Verde, with Theìo Pascal, her mentor and producer, they have managed to create a new, unclassifiable genre, between traditional rhythms, African, Cape Verdean melodies, and contemporary jazz. Carmen has thus become a reference for the music of Cape Verde, while at the same time managing to emancipate herself from it, establishing her mark on the world music scene.
Her tenth album, Interconectadnos, narrates our collective experience of separation during COVID and her understanding that all of humanity is connected. It includes 7 new songs and three very personal versions of the classics: 'My Baby Just Cares For Me', 'Sous Le Ciel de Paris' and 'Pata Pata'.