June @ LULA

Here are some of the highlights of our June/July schedule. Read on with ideas about how to treat your dad to a taste of Cuba on Fathers Day and how to celebrate Canada with the music of the world!

SMALL WORLD MUSIC PRESENTS REZA WITH JOHN DENSMORE

Middle East meets West as Persian-American multi-instrumentalist REZA collaborates with DOORS drummer JOHN DENSMORE

Small World Music presents the Toronto debut of a remarkable world music project uniting two great talents.

'Reza plays magic.'~ John Densmore

Not everything is strife between Iran and the United States, and leave it to Doors drummer JOHN DENSMORE to find some common ground where beautiful music can hold sway. In 2005 he began a collaboration with Iranian musician and singer REZA DERAKSHANI that resulted in what what Hen House Studios founder Harlan Steinberger calls 'a truly beautiful record'. That record, Ray of the Wine forms the basis for an east coast tour that brings these artists and their band to Toronto on June 16th.

The night will also feature Cuban- born bassist Carlitos Del Puerto - one of the most sought after latin jazz bassists working in the U.S. today. He has worked with everyone from Stevie Wonder, Pauquito De Rivera and Patti Labelle to Sergio Mendes, El Negro and Celia Cruz.

Click Here To Listen Live

REZA WITH JOHN DENSMORE Friday June 16

FATHERS DAY
RUMBA: AFRO-CUBANA

The evolution of Cuban music from Yoruba culture, to Rumba, to Afro Cuban jazz to the music of today. Hosted by 91.1 JAZZ.FM Café Latina host Amanda Martinez

Rumba: Afro-Cubana is a voyage through the rich heritage and culture of Cuban dance and music. Beginning with the sounds and rhythms of the Bata drum, dancers Irina Rosales, Ana Machado will perform some of the original Yoruba songs honoring the diverse Orishas such as Yemeya, Ochun, Elegua and Changó. From there, the musicians, led by Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo - and dancers next perform the various Rumba rhythms such as Yambu, Columbia, Guaguanco - the most authentic representations of Afro Cuban culture. Then, with the addition of renowned pianist Hilario Duran - the ensemble will create the unique sounds of Afro-Cuban Jazz. Arriving at the end of the show - the group will perform the sound of Cuban music today - as interpreted by Rojitas, one of the most renowned contemporary Cuban singers.

RUMBA: AFRO-CUBANA Sunday June 18

Gary Topp presents GRUPO FANTASMA

The best band in Austin today. The adventurous music offspring of Los Lobos and Mano Negra.

When people think of the music scene in Austin, Texas, great singer/songwriters, funky blues, old-fashioned country twang and imaginative rock bands come to mind. Grupo Fantasma is likely to explode that notion.

Who is Grupo Fantasma? Music fans and critics agree: they are simply the best band in Austin today. “We’re a hybrid of Latin dance music from old school to new school,” explains primary songwriter and percussionist, Jose Galeano.

A raucous horde of musical wizards and freaks, they transform traditional Latin styles of music with their skillful song writing, inventive arrangements and exuberant live shows. They fuse afro-latin funk, cumbia, salsa, merengue and more into an intoxicating whole. It’s a sound that demands audiences move - forget about chairs, don’t even think of sitting down when Grupo Fantasma is in town.

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GRUPO FANTASMA Thursday June 29

Lula Lounge presents BOMBA!

Start to celebrate Canada day on Friday night with this high energy salsa from Edmonton. Bomba! proves that salsa's invasion of Canada stretches from coast to coast. Check out their single Si, Canada.

Latin/World group ¡Bomba! is led by three artists of contrasting cultural and musical backgrounds- drummer Mario Allende originally from Chile, bassist Rubim de Toledo of Brazilian descent, and keyboardist Chris Andrew from Vancouver Island. Taking different routes to the same destination, they landed in Edmonton, Canada and banded together to share one vision.

These three are a new generation of musicians well schooled in traditional Latin music forms from timba to rumba, to son, salsa, as well as North American popular music and jazz. On each project, from their 2001 debut CD “lo que ¡bomba! te dá”, to 2003’s “A Mí Me Gusta”, and 2005’s “Entre Sol y Luz”, the core members of ¡Bomba! have teamed up with different players and singers. This musical transculturalization makes for many interesting fusions and innovative forms of expression.

Click Here To Listen Live

BOMBA! Friday June 30

Coming to Lula in July

Don't miss CaneFire's July 2 appearance as part of the Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival. Small World Music Festival has announced the dates for its summer Global Café Festival that runs from July 10 to 15th. Featuring Portugal's Sara Tavares, Afrobeat king Femi Abosede, Iranian trio NIYAZ and Montreal's Kaba Horo, the festival promises to be one of the city's musical highlights this summer.

Cuban Culture lovers will want to make Lula their second home during over the next months. With many performers joining us directly from Cuba, Lula is proud to present musicians Carlos del Puerto, Rojitas, Joaquin Hidalgo, Hilario Duran, Trova master Carlos Varela, Valle Son, Septeto Variedades, Grupo Moncada, our own Cafe Cubano and many others.