ENGLISH:  One of the mainstays of the small but impressive Jazz scene in Santiago de Cuba is Ivan Acosta and his Grupo De Cuba Somos.   I had the opportunity to meet him, record an interview and listen to his music in December.   You can read a review, see some photos and listen to the interview (in Spanish) here.  You can also listen to the interview and some music by the group on the radio program From the Isle of Music on Monday night, March 21; for more information, see the From the Isle of Music Facebook page. 
ESPAÑOL:  Uno de los pilares de la pequeña pero impresionante escena del jazz en Santiago de Cuba es Ivan Acosta y su Grupo De Cuba Somos. Tuve la oportunidad de conocerlo, grabar una entrevista y escuchar su música en diciembre. Usted puede leer una reseña, ver algunas fotos y escuchar la entrevista (en español) aquí. Tambíen pueden escuchar la entrevista y la música del grupo en el programa radial From the Isle of Music el lunes, 21 marzo; para más infomación, visiten la página Facebook de From the Isle of Music. 

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Alexander Abreu & Havana D'Primera have just released the official video clip for the single "Conga pa' cerrar" from their latest album "La vuelta al mundo". This is another blazing arrangement by these masters of Timba and cubanía . They have been working on their new CD and in February released a little teaser of the new song "Siempre sí" on the Havana D'Primera Facebook page . This month they perform in Venezuela, next month Peru, and Alexander has also recorded on the upcoming CD by Emilio Frias "El Niño" y La Verdad. 2016 is going to be a great year for timba releases!

And here is the teaser of "Siempre sí".

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ENGLISH:  On Friday, March 18, a stellar collection of artists from Cuba will be performing at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas: Telmary, Yissy Garcia & Bandancha, Dayme Arocena, X Alfonso y La Flota, Kelvis Ochoa. This is a "do not miss" lineup.   
ESPAÑOL:  El viernes 18 de marzo, una colección estelar de artistas de Cuba se presentará en el South by Southwest Festival en Austin, Texas: Telmary, Yissy García y Bandancha, Dayme Arocena, X Alfonso y La Flota, Kelvis Ochoa.   Se trata de una "no se lo pierdan " alineación.

And in Chicago.....

Master percussionist Joaquin "El Pulpo" Pozo will be in town to teach some master classes and to perform as a guest artist with the Angel d'Cuba Septet.   
The classes are:
1. Thursday, 3/17, 7:30pm:  Latin Music School, 2725 W. Division, Chicago,
Facebook page for event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/987941537947443/
2.  Saturday, 3/19, 12-2 PM;  Worlds of Music Chicago, 4161 N. Damen
For more information, see http://www.worldsofmusicchicago.com/#!events/c7bs

The performance with the Angel d'Cuba Septet 
is
Friday, March 18, 8:30pm
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
For more information, see:

https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2016/11-24-2015-gdp-angel-dcuba-830pm/

Angel d'Cuba's group is also sporting Roy McGrath on saxophone and Edwin Sanchez on keyboards.  This could be a great show.  

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Wow - either one of these artists would be big news, but together it's a revelation. Issac is famous for his improvisation and his ability to soar over some of the greatest rhythm sections in Cuban music history and as we all know, PMG makes the short list in that particularly category. It's a marriage made in heaven at one of the great outdoor venues. Click here for more info.

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