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TRANSCRIPT
Roberto FonsecaAKOKAN
Born in 1975 (Havana) into a musical family, Roberto Fonseca –
despite having been described in many different ways (“the most
promising and important talent in Cuban music”, “A true revelation
who stands out among pianists of his generation”) – remains faithful
to the wish he has had since the beginning of his career: ”I want my
music to reach people who don’t know me, and I dream of one day
becoming a point of reference for my audience…”
He started studying piano at the age of 8, though his initial passion
was percussion. This interest from such an early age would clearly
influence his trademark “percussive” piano-playing style. His first
“job” was as the drummer for a band doing covers of Beatles songs.
At the age of 14, he created his first compositions, drawing inspi-
ration from the Afro-Cuban genre: “At school we used to regard
American jazz as a point of reference; I felt that my music would
be a fusion of both genres … I liked lots of jazz musicians, such as
Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, but also old American funk and
soul classics”.
His appearance as a pianist, aged just 15, was a revelation at
Havana’s “Jazz Plaza” International Festival; he completed his aca-
demic training as both pianist and teacher. After this, his desire to
improve and learn further led him to take a degree in Musical Com-
position at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). At the age of 21,
guided by the need to fuse his music with other styles, he embarked
on a tour across Italy with singer Augusto Enriquez, which included
performances on the state TV channel, RAI. Roberto’s path would
cross, one year later, with saxophonist Javier Zalba (Irakere, Cuba-
nismo), with whom he formed the group “Temperamento”.
In a year of intense creativity, he recorded and produced his first
album “En el Comienzo”, which won the award for best Jazz album
at the Cubadisco´99 festival; he co-produced, arranged and played
on Augusto Enriquez’s album, “Cuando Yo Sea Grande”, and recor-
ded his first solo album “Tiene Que Ver” which he released in 1999,
receiving an award in the popular Cuban music category of the Tri-
malca competition, organised by UNESCO. His second solo work was
quick to be released, and in 2000 he presented “No Limit”, recorded
and produced by Roberto for Japanese record label JVC. The same
year he composed the soundtrack for the film “Black”, by French
director P. Maraval, and produced the record “Un montón de cosas”
for the Hip-Hop group Obsesión.
Roberto’s life changed with the start of the 21st century, not only
because he released his third album, “Elengo”, but also because his
career took an unexpected turn. “I went to the EGREM studios to re-
cord Angá Díaz’s album, invited by him, and when I got there I saw
many people who were legends to me …, Rubén González, Cachaíto
López, Guajiro Mirabal…… in two months my whole life changed.”
Shortly afterwards, he was invited to be support pianist to the great
maestro Rubén González, as part of the renowned Orquesta de Ib-
rahim Ferrer and that same year he joined the management com-
pany Montuno. “My God, sharing the stage every night with Rubén
González was a real dream; I’d just stay there, staring at him play
for hours”. A dream that toured all over the world, with over 400
concerts, promoting Ibrahim Ferrer’s records next to great legends
such as Cachaíto López, Guajiro Mirabal and Manuel Galbán, among
others. Playing at the most prestigious venues, such as Frankfurt
Alter Oper (Frankfurt), Palais des Congrès (Paris), Albert Hall (Lon-
don), Beacon Theatre (New York), Sydney Opera House (Australia),
etc. Not a single review of Ibrahim’s concerts, from South America
to Asia, would fail to mention Fonseca’s talent and his magnetic sta-
ge presence. Omara Portuondo, passionate about his style, invited
him to take part in her tours, among them the Tokyo Jazz Festival in
2002, where he shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Michael Bre-
cker and Wayne Shorter: “I couldn’t believe it, when Herbie Hancock
himself called me to play with him, I did not even sleep that night!!”
That period of intense work, touring round the world, led Roberto
to realize that his music was ready for creating his own project. He
dug deep to compose each of the songs that form “Zamazu”, the re-
sult of the integration of all his influences; Afro-Cuban music, jazz,
classical music and traditional Cuban music.
He discovered that his music can create new possibilities: Meeting
fashion designer Agnès B was the start of a relationship of mutual
admiration. Their rapport first emerged when Roberto started wea-
ring her creations for all his performances, and took shape when Ro-
berto played live for the Agnès B fashion show in Paris in July 2006.
In mid 2004 Ibrahim Ferrer decided to carry out a project that would
be the climax of his artistic career, a record and a tour of his treasu-
red boleros, which would celebrate the singer’s love for the genre.
His close relationship with Roberto and the trust he placed in his
musical abilities led to Roberto taking part in the first recordings.
He arranged and co-produced the work in the EGREM studios in
November of that same year, producing over 10 songs in January
2005, as well as assuming the role of director of the world tour “Mi
sueño: A bolero Songbook tour 2005”. Ibrahim Ferrer used to say
“This “muchacho”, despite having a jazz background, gets me and
respects my music, and - boy, can the kid play…!“
After two exciting tours with this project, August 2005 was a time
of great pain for Roberto, with the loss of Ibrahim Ferrer. This be-
came the driving force behind the desire to finish his own album
“Zamazu”, and he did so in 6 months. He invited in Alê Siqueira, one
of Brazil’s major music producers, creator of great projects such as
Tribalistas, Flor de Amor (Omara Portuondo), Infinito Particular (Ma-
risa Monte), etc. He travelled to Bahia for the pre-production stage
at Carlinhos Brown’s studio, and added the finishing touches to all
the collaborations on the album, including Brazilian percussion. At
that moment, a date was fixed for the album’s recording – January
2006 – as well as a place – La Habana.
And so, in barely 5 days in January, Roberto recorded over 2 hours
of music. A creative output reminiscent of the classic jazz sessions.
Several musicians were included in the line-up for this fabulous al-
bum and several collaborations closed the 3-year creative cycle.
Carlinhos Brown, Cachaíto López, Omara Portuondo, Vicente Amigo,
Toninho Ferragutti, and friends such as Javier Zalba, Omar Gonzá-
lez, Ramsés Rodríguez and a further twenty or so musicians were in-
volved. All were witnesses to a Roberto Fonseca seeking to connect
the most sensitive touch on the piano to the melody and forces of
rhythms that amalgamate the principal musical cultures of America,
Brazil and Cuba with those of the African continent. Compositions
of a beauty that touches the sublime, with lyrics of imagination that
inform the aesthetics of the album, a place where virtuosity submits
to emotion.
In 2006 he produced the Japanese singer Asa Feeston’s album and
collaborated as a musician on other albums, such as Timbalada’s la-
test. Together with Nick Gold from the World Circuit record label, he
put the last touches to co-producing what would have been Ibrahim
Ferrer next album, one that he recorded just before passing away.
It was released in 2007 under the name of “Mi Sueño”. This album
was nominated at the Latin Grammy Awards 07 for Best Traditional
Tropical Album.
In the month of July, during the summer festivals in Europe, Roberto
shared the stage with Bebo and Chucho Valdés at Jazz in Marciac
and composed the song “Latin in Marciac” which the Festival used
for the opening and closing of its main concerts.
February 2007 saw the launch of his album “Zamazu” which has
received great reviews worldwide. He has toured and presented Za-
mazu in some of the most prestigious festivals worldwide, such as
Montreal Jazz (Canada) and Umbria Jazz (Italy) amongst others,
and the public was left spellbound by his incredible talent. “Zama-
zu” has been a tremendous success and has shown that Roberto is
a composer who has a unique style and an unmistakeable way of
playing. Columbia Pictures chose the track “Llego Cachaito” from
the “Zamazu” album for the Will Smith film “Hancock”.
2008 has been a year full of work and experiences that have inspi-
red Roberto’s new compositions. Each situation, person and culture
from the countries that he has visited have been a source of ins-
piration. Roberto is very thankful for what he has received and he
dedicates this new album to all the people that welcomed him with
open arms. His new record is called “AKOKAN”, which means heart
in Yoruba. “All the music that I compose is a part of me, and having
to choose has been really difficult…”
With “Akokan” Roberto wants to bring the magic, strength and im-
provisation of a live show to the studio. Accompanied by his band,
the one that he has been playing with for the last 12 years, Roberto
as the record’s producer has encouraged creativity and chemistry
amongst the musicians. In “Akokan” we find a pure Roberto Fonse-
ca. There are also two very special collaborations from artists that
Roberto admires, artists that have very different styles: Mayra An-
drade, the Cape Verdean singer who wrote the words and sings on
‘Siete Potencias’, and Raul Midón, the American singer, wrote ‘Se-
cond Chance’. On this track Roberto did the arrangements and Raul
played also guitar. In comparison to “Zamazu”, on this new album
the piano is the true protagonist with some incredible piano solos
and a different way of playing, one enriched by many experiences
and the desire for us to feel his passion for life and music as the
driving force of each piece.
PRESS REVIEWS:
“A fabulously gifted pianist, composer and bandleader... a gift for
melody that outshines more celebrated peers...one of a new breed
who can transcend musical boundaries through sheer quality.”
The Guardian
“An elegant line and an unhurried feel for time and space. Fonse-
ca is a star.”
The Independent On Sunday
“Sensuous, fresh, modern – Roberto Fonseca brings the piano
dazzlingly to life.”
The Daily Telegraph
“Mesmerising. A joy.”
Straight No Chaser
“A heroic dose of charisma.”
Time Out
español
Nació en 1975 en el seno de una familia de músicos. A la edad de 15
años, Roberto Fonseca fue una revelación en el Festival Internacional
“Jazz Plaza” en La Habana. Después de diplomarse en composición
musical en el Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA), grabó su primer álbum
que recibió el premio del “Mejor Álbum Jazz” en el Festival Cubadisco
en 1999. A principios del siglo XXI, la vida de Roberto da un giro al
convertirse en sucesor de Rubén González en la Orquesta de Ibrahim
Ferrer. Después de participar en más de 400 conciertos con Ferrer
fungió también como arreglista y coproductor del último álbum del
cantante, “Mi Sueño” que fuera nominado para el Grammy en 2007.
Considerado como el “más importante y prometedor talento en la
música cubana”, Roberto ha actuado igualmente al lado de artistas
tales como Omara Portuondo, Bebo y Chucho Valdéz, Herbie Han-
cock, Michael Brecker y Wayne Shorter.
Con la aparición de “Zamazu” (2007) Roberto Fonseca se integra a
las escenas internacionales y es reconocido actualmente como uno
de los músicos más talentosos y carismáticos de los últimos años.
Cualquiera que haya tenido la ocasión de asistir a sus conciertos
con Ibrahim Ferrer ha podido presenciar a la manera única en la
que Roberto toca el piano, combinando la precisión del ritmo con la
emoción intensa. “Zamazu” lo confirma ampliamente, manteniendo
la elogiosa opinión de la prensa como un talento único. The Guardian
lo ha llamado “pianista, compositor y director musical fabulosamen-
te dotado”, “alguien de una nueva estirpe que puede trascender las
fronteras musicales a través de una calidad pura.” The Independent
On Sunday aclamó su “elegante línea y el reposado sentimiento del
tiempo y del espacio. Fonseca es una estrella.”
Roberto ha grabado su Nuevo álbum “Akokan” (término Yoruba para
decir “corazón”) en los estudios Egrem de La Habana, Cuba. Acom-
pañado por los músicos que han trabajado con él durante más de
12 años, expresa la fuerza y la magia de una actuación en vivo,
transformándola en un álbum de estudio. Llevándonos por un viaje
musical a través de diferentes países y culturas, ha invitado a dos
músicos muy especiales que siempre ha admirado: Mayra Andrade,
cantante caboverdiana autora de la letra y cantante de “Siete Po-
tencias” y Raul Midón, cantante estadounidense y guitarrista que
escribió “Everyone Deserves A Second Chance”; para esta pista Ro-
berto compuso los arreglos que Raul cantó e interpretó a la guitarra.
Aunque el piano es el verdadero protagonista de este álbum. Roberto
Fonseca ha indagado profundamente en su instrumento entregándo-
nos un estilo diferente de interpretación, enriquecido a través de to-
das las experiencias de su vida. “Akokan” presenta los sentimientos
más profundos de Roberto alcanzados en algunos solos increíbles y
en una atmósfera pura.
français
Né en 1975 au sein d’une famille de musiciens, Roberto Fonseca a
été, à l’âge de 15 ans, la révélation du festival international « Jazz
Plaza » de la Havane. Après avoir obtenu un diplôme de compositi-
on musicale à l’Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA – Institut supérieur
d’art), il a enregistré son premier album qui a reçu le prix du «
Meilleur Album Jazz » au Festival Cubadisco de 1999. Au début du
21ème siècle, la vie de Roberto a connu un changement lorsqu’il a
été choisi pour succéder à Rubén González dans l’Orquesta (Orchest-
re) d’Ibrahim Ferrer. Après plus de 400 concerts avec Ferrer, il s’est
également chargé de l’arrangement et la co-production du dernier
album du chanteur, « Mi sueño », qui a été nommé aux Grammy
Awards en 2007. Considéré comme « le talent le plus prometteur
et le plus important de la musique cubaine », Roberto a également
accompagné des artistes tels qu’Omara Portuondo, Bebo et Chucho
Valdéz, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker et Wayne Shorter.
La sortie de « Zamazu » (2007) a permis à Roberto Fonseca d’accéder
aux scènes internationales et il est aujourd’hui reconnu comme étant
l’un des musiciens les plus talentueux et charismatiques de ces der-
nières années. Tous ceux qui ont eu la chance d’assister à l’un de ses
concerts avec Ibrahim Ferrer ont été impressionnés par la manière
singulière qu’a Roberto de jouer du piano alliant rythme précis et
émotion intense. « Zamazu » en a apporté la confirmation et la pres-
se a continué de louer un talent unique. Le journal britannique The
Guardian a dit de Roberto qu’il était « un pianiste, compositeur et
chef d’orchestre fabuleusement doué » « un (musicien) d’un nouveau
genre qui est capable de transcender les limites de la musique grâce
à son excellence ». Le journal britannique The Independent On Sun-
day a salué chez Roberto « son élégance et l’impression de paix se
dégageant dans le temps et l’espace. Roberto Fonseca est une star. »
Roberto a enregistré son nouvel album intitulé « Akokan » (qui sig-
nifie « cœur » en dialecte yoruba) au Studio Egrem de La Havane à
Cuba. Accompagné par les musiciens qui travaillent avec lui depuis
plus de 12 ans, il a su extraire la force et la magie d’une interprétati-
on en direct pour la transformer en un album studio. Nous emmenant
avec lui dans un voyage musical à travers des cultures et pays diffé-
rents, il a invité deux musiciens très spéciaux qu’il admire de longue
date : Mayra Andrade, chanteuse du Cap Vert qui a interprété et écrit
les paroles de « Siete Potencias », et Raul Midón, chanteur et gui-
tariste américain qui est l’auteur de « Everyone Deserves A Second
Chance » - pour ce morceau, Roberto a composé les arrangements et
Raul a chanté et joué de la guitare. Le piano reste toutefois le vérita-
ble protagoniste de cet album. Roberto Fonseca est allé chercher au
plus profond de son instrument, nous permettant ainsi d’apprécier
un style différent d’interprétation, une interprétation enrichie par
toutes les expériences de sa vie. « Akokan » exprime les sentiments
les plus profonds de Roberto capturés dans des solos incroyables et
une atmosphère pure.
deutsch
Im Alter von 15 Jahren war Roberto Fonseca bereits die Sensation
beim internationalen “Jazz Plaza”-Festival in Havanna (Kuba). Nach
seinem Abschluss des Kompositionsstudiums am Institutu Superior
de Arte (ISA) nahm der 1975 geborene Pianist dann sein erstes Al-
bum auf, das auf dem Cubadisco Festival von 1999 auch prompt als
„Bestes Jazzalbum“ ausgezeichnet wurde. Mit dem Millennium mach-
te Roberto einen weiteren großen Schritt: Er wurde Rubén Gonzá-
lez’ Vertreter und Nachfolger im Orchester von Ibrahim Ferrer. Nach
mehr als 400 Konzerten mit Ferrer arbeitete Roberto Fonseca – das
„vielversprechendste und wichtigste Talent der kubanischen Musik“—
auch als Arrangeur und Ko-Produzent für Ferrers letztes Album, „Mi
Sueno“, das 2007 für einen Grammy nominiert war. Auch mit Omara
Portuondo, Cachaito, Angá Diaz, Carlinhos Brown, Bebo und Chucho
Valdéz, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter u.v.a. war
Roberto Fonseca schon zu hören.
Mit seinem ersten ENJA-Album „Zamazu“ (2007) erreichte Rober-
to Fonseca die internationalen Bühnen, wo er als einer der ein-
drucksvollsten, charismatischsten Musiker der letzten Jahre gefei-
ert wird. Alle, die ihn mit Ibrahim Ferrer im Konzert erlebt haben,
waren bereits von Robertos einzigartiger Klavierkunst beeindruckt
– einer Kombination aus präziser Rhythmik und intensiver Emoti-
on. Das Album „Zamazu“ hat diesen Eindruck gefestigt, die Presse
jubelte noch lauter. „Es handelt sich schlicht um ein Meisterwerk“,
schrieb die Jazzthetik, „eine Platte, die ohne Übertreibung als eine
der schönsten bezeichnet werden kann, die die kubanische Musik bis
heute hervorgebracht hat.“ Die Süddeutsche Zeitung erkannte „die
Handschrift eines kommenden Weltstars“, das Diners Club Magazin
witterte bereits „eine neue Legende der kubanischen Musik“, „ein
Talent der Extraklasse“.
Sein neues Album „Akokan“ (Yoruba für „Herz“) entstand im legen-
dären Egrem-Studio in Havanna (Kuba). Begleitet von jenen Musi-
kern, die seit mehr als 12 Jahren mit ihm arbeiten, gelingt es Rober-
to Fonseca hier, die Kraft und Magie einer Live-Performance in ein
Studioalbum zu packen. Zu seiner Albumreise durch verschiedene
Länder und Kulturen hat er auch zwei ganz besondere Musiker ein-
geladen, die er seit langem bewundert: Mayra Andrade, die kapver-
dische Sängerin, die auf „Siete Potencias“ den kreolischen Text sang
und schrieb, und den blinden Amerikaner Raul Midón, der „Everyone
Deserves A Second Chance“ geschrieben hat – Roberto hat es ar-
rangiert, Raul singt und spielt Gitarre. Doch der eigentliche Haupt-
darsteller auf dem Album ist das Klavier: Roberto Fonseca ist tief in
sein Instrument getaucht und erfreut uns mit seiner besonderen,
von Lebenserfahrungen gesättigten Spielweise. „Akokan“ eröffnet
uns einen Blick ins Innere seines Herzens – eingefangen in einigen
unglaublichen Soli und einer prickelnden Atmosphäre.
also available:
Roberto Fonseca;Sheet Music:
ENJ-9499;Roberto Fonseca
„ZAMAZU“:
MAYRA ANDRADEvocals
RAUL MIDÓNvocal & guitar
TOURDATES:
20.05. F – Paris, Comedy Club
21.05. UK – London, ICA
23.05. F – Coutances, Jazz Sous Les Pommiers
03.07. D – Ludwigsburg, Schlossfestspiele
04.07. F – Oloron Ste-Marie, Jazz à Oloron
07.07. B – Mons, Festival
08.07. DK – Copenhagen, Jazz Festival
12.07. UK – Harrogate, International Festival
29.07. D – Kassel, Kulturzelt
30.07. D – Schloss Vollrads, Rheingau-Festival,
Seebühne
02.08. D – Karlsruhe, Zeltival
13.08. F – Marciac, Festival
16.08. F – Chedigny, Blues in Chedigny
23.10. A – Wien, Konzerthaus
24.10. H – Budapest, Palace of Arts
25.10. D – München, Prinzregententheater
26.10. CH – Basel, Stadtcasino
27.10. D – Darmstadt, Centralstation
30.10. SF – Tampere, Old Customs Hall
01.11. D – Berlin, Kesselhaus
02.11. D – Hamburg, Fabrik
05.11. CH – Genève, Bâtiment des Forces Motrices
06.11. F – Conflans St. Honorine, Bâtiment des
Forces Motrices
07.11. B – Turnhout, De Warande
08.11. D – Leverkusen, Fabrik
10.11. D – Bremen, Glocke
20.11. F – Saintes, Teatre Gallica
21.11. F – Conilhac, Jazz en Terre d’Aude
More to be confirmed.
ENJA RECORDS M. Winckelmann GmbH
Frundsbergstr. 15
80634 München
GERMANY
www.enjarecords.comwww.myspace.com/[email protected]
Worldwide booking and touring:
Montuno Producciones
C / Rosellon 248 50 - 2a
08008 Barcelona
SPAIN
www.montuno.com
info@[email protected]
NEW ALBUM
ROBERTO FONSECA “AKOKAN” ENJ-9534
RELEASE DATE: MAY 29th
2009
“A new legend in Cuban music” – Diners Club Magazine
ROBERTO FONSECA piano, voice
JAVIER ZALBA flute, clarinet, baritone sax
OMAR GONZÁLEZ OMAR GONZÁLEZ bass
RAMSÉS RODRIGUEZ drums
JOEL HIERREZUELO percussion
Guests:MAYRA ANDRADE vocal
RAUL MIDÓN vocal & guitar
Produced by Roberto Fonseca, co-producer Matthias Winckelmannco-producer Matthias Winckelmann
“Akokan” was recorded at the end of 2008 in the Egrem Studio in Havana, Cuba. Roberto was accompanied by the musicians that have worked with him for more than 12 years. The repertoire for this new work is a selection of his own compositions, inspired by all the expe-riences, situations and people that have influenced Roberto’s l i fe.
On “Akokan” Roberto has taken the strength and magic of a l ive performance and trans-formed it into a studio album. He has delved deep into his piano for this record letting us enjoy a different style of playing. “Akokan” shows us Roberto’s true heart reflected in some incredible solos and a pure atmosphere.
For this occasion, Roberto invited two very special musicians that he has long admired: Mayra Andrade, the Cape Verdean singer who sung and wrote the lyrics to “Siete Potencias”, and Raúl Midón, the American guitarist who wrote “Everyone Deserves a Second Chance”.