2009 Art of Jazz Festival – Cuban Orchestra Anacaona
Seventy-seven years after the first band was formed, the spirit of the original members of Anacaona is still alive. Today the band’s leaders -sisters Georgina and Dorita Aguirre- maintain the legacy they received from the Castro Zalarriaga sisters.
Anacaona was founded in Havana in 1932, by Concepción Castro and her sisters: Ada, Alicia, Algimira, Caridad, Emma, Olga, Ondina and Xiomara. At that time it was considered the first women son sextet; in 1934 they changed the format to Jazz Band and Charanga Típica. Against all the odds -being an all-female band- they embarked on a steady and very successful musical career. They traveled all over Cuba and abroad, sharing international stages with many artists from all over the world. They recorded and appeared as special guests on radio, TV shows and movies.
Fifty years later, after finishing their studies at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in 1983, Georgina Aguirre and her sister Dorita joined the band, then under the leadership of Alicia Castro (who was the second director of the group). In 1987, the five remaining Castro Zalarriaga sisters decided to retire, and the leadership of the orchestra was passed on and kept in good hands. Since then, Anacaona has been renewed with young and talented girls, graduated from different Art schools and with the required musical talent and charisma to maintain the legendary orchestra.
Anacaona made its first Canadian appearance during the Art of Jazz Festival in Toronto, on Saturday June 6, at the Fermenting Cellar venue, in the Distillery District. They also played an outdoor concert at the Trinity stage on Sunday, June 7.
View slideshow: Anacaona Orchestra (this link will open in a new window)
Photographs by Danilo Navas
Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village – June 5-7, 2009
The 4th Annual Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village
June 5 – 7, 2009 – The Distillery District, Toronto
Art of Jazz celebration presents an ode to Italian & Cuban jazz and culture
The 4th annual Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village, taking place from June 5 – 7 in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, is proud to welcome an outstanding line-up of artists to this year’s event for a celebration of Italian and Cuban jazz. This year’s performers include: Mario Romano, the Pat Martino Organ Trio with Tony Monaco, Roberta Gambarini together with Neil Swainson, and the Sicilian Jazz Project, an Italian Blues collective featuring Dave Rotundo with special guests Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone and Rita Chiarelli.
"This year’s Art of Jazz celebration will pay homage to Italian and Cuban jazz and will feature a rich and diverse collection of artists," says Bonnie Lester, President, Art of Jazz. "In response to the current economic climate we are pleased to announce that the majority of our concerts will be offered to jazz-lovers for free."
The opening night concert on Friday, June 5 will feature Mario Romano, one of the very first students to be part of York University’s jazz program. At the age of 22 he was already recognized as one of the up and coming jazz pianists in Canada. His Argentinean background was influential to his approach to the piano, and to jazz itself. Romano will perform with his trio featuring Shelly Berger and Vito Rezza and will be joined by special guest Jane Bunnett. The concert will raise funds and awareness for Art of Jazz education programs and for the Villa Charities Foundation.
On Saturday, June 6 Art of Jazz presents the Canadian debut of Anacaona, a 16 piece women’s orchestra from Cuba nicknamed the "Buena Vista Sister’s Club". This historic all-female Cuban dance band stormed to success in Cuba during the 1930′s, and quickly became the toast of Old Havana. Also known as ‘Las Mulatísimas del Sabor’, Anacaona is considered one of the major forces in Cuban popular dance music globally. Tickets for this performance are $25 in advance at ticketweb.ca or $30 at the door.
Art of Jazz welcomes the return of Rashied Ali who wowed audiences in our first year; Rashid will perform a free concert on Sunday, June 8 with his dynamic quintet
On Sunday June 7, a special presentation of Nino Rota’s music will be performed by a collection of this year’s artists against a backdrop of some of Fellini’s most memorable scenes. Roberta Gambarini, nominated for a Grammy in 2007 for Best Jazz Vocal Album and as 2009 Singer of the Year in the Jazz Journalist Association Poll, will perform in a special duo concert with bassist Neil Swainson on Sunday June 7 in the Fermenting Cellar.
Throughout the weekend Art of Jazz will present intimate workshops by many of the featured artists including Roberta Gambarini and Christine Jenson. And back by popular demand is our Kids n’ Jazz program with Canadian harmonica sensation with Mike Stevens and New Orleans blues man Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone. This year, Trinity Square will be transformed into a piazza, featuring the best of Italian cuisine, fine wine, beer, street art and more.
The Women in Jazz stage will showcase the Christine Jensen Quartet, the Dave Restivo Trio featuring drummer, percussionist, educator, clinician and composer Alyssa Falk, the Sienna Dahlen Quintet and a joint presentation of Lisa Particilli’s ‘Girls Night Out Jazz Showcase’ featuring some of the finest jazz vocalists in Toronto.
It is thanks to the generosity of Mario Romano and Castlepoint Investments that this year’s Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village is able to present a weekend of stellar jazz.
THE 4TH ANNUAL ART OF JAZZ CELEBRATION
FRIDAY JUNE 5 – SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2009
TORONTO’S HISTORIC DISTILLERY DISTRICT, 55 Mill St.
Ticketed Events: $25 – $35
General admission tickets available at www.ticketweb.ca or call 1-888-222-6608
About Art of Jazz: Art of Jazz is an artist-founded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the cultivation of jazz education and performance. Founded in 2005, the organization’s mission is three-fold: to provide jazz education and mentorship programs to a new generation of artists and audiences in Canada; to present innovative-year-round programming; and to build a permanent home for jazz in Toronto. For more information on Art of Jazz visit: www.artofjazz.org
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bonnie Lester, 416-840-7663 bonnie@artofjazz.org
Elizabeth Crothers, 416-840-7663 elizabeth@artofjazz.org
