Laritza Bacallao was born into one of Cuba's prominent music families. Both her grandfather and her father were singers with Orquesta Aragón, and as a child she toured and sang with the band on more than one occasion. Laritza also received formal music education attending the music schools Manuel Saumel and Guillermo Tomás. Add to this a natural talent and a powerful, versatile voice and you have the makings of a star.

While her family represents the best in Cuban traditional dance music, Laritza’s music is Pan-Caribbean electronica that freely mixes rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. In 2014 she released her first CD “Sólo se vive una vez”, Cubadisco 2015 winner in the category “Opera Prima”. She recently toured the US where she was nominated in Premios Juventud 2015 as “Revelation of the Year” and is currently touring Europe with Chacal & Yakarta.  Click here to read my review of “Sólo se vive una vez”.

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Plena Libre returns to Kuumbwa Jazz Center on August 7th. If you're not already a plena freak, consider that it's probably the single best way to get your head around the mysteries of clave alignment in timba. Plena Libre is one of the leaders in the recent wave of modernized plena groups from Puerto Rico.  Here's the rest of the tour.

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For the 9th consecutive year Dutch entrepreneur Henri van Woerkom (HENNES) has organized his free Cuban party on the river Waal in Nijmegen. It is a beautiful and intimate festival with participants traveling from far and wide to take enjoy the music. What could be bettr than a week-long Cuban party featuring DJs and live bands? The 2015 edition started Saturday and ends on Friday the 24th with a concert by Nils Fischer's Timbazo, who recently released their second CD - "Rumberos a montón" - to much acclaim.

One of the things that makes Hennes Latin Stage so unique is the fact that the headline band plays three consecutive nights. This year that band is El Niño y la Verdad, who are on their second European Tour and a must-see band for all Cuban music fans.

Rumours are already spreading that Hennes has big plans to celebrate the 10th Edition next year. Moreover, their 10th Anniversary coincides with the 100th Anniversary of 'the international 4 day marches Nijmegen', so expect a double celebration. If you're like me and can't make it this year, mark your calendars for the 3rd week in July 2016: 10 years Hennes Latin Stage anniversary! A great line-up is guaranteed!
Hennes gladly welcomes foreign guests in person !
As always… FREE entrance !

Here is the full 2015 schedule:
Saterday 18 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Joost
08.00 PM: Orquesta Salsabor

Sunday 19 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Lady Kizz & Dj Sigi
08.00 PM: Tomi y su Timbalight

Monday 20 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Eric B
08.00 PM: Barbara y VaiVen Cubano

Tuesday 21 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Leslie
07.00 PM: Barbara y VaiVen Cubano
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Wednesday 22 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Leslie
07.00 PM: Pedro & his cuban experience
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Thursday 23 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Joost & Lady Kizz
07.00 PM: Pedro & his cuban experience
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Friday 24 july 2015
06.00 PM: Dj Joost
08.00 PM: Timbazo

"Hennes celebrates his annual party and everyone is invited."

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Click here for the full gallery of both the SF JAZZ and Kuumbwa Jazz Center shows.

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