Peña Habanera by Danae Blanco / Traditional Cuban Music (3)

Peña Habanera by Danae Blanco / Traditional Cuban Music

Presented by Terraza 7

Saturday, February 10th, 2024, at 10:00 PM

$20 Mezzanine Cover Charge

Featuring:

Danae Blanco / Vocals

Samuel Torres / Percussion

Cesar Orozco / Piano

About Danae Blanco:

Born in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, on January 23, 1970, Danae Blanco stands as a dynamic Cuban vocalist celebrated worldwide for her contributions to Latin music. Emerging from the rich musical heritage of Cuba, Danae modernized salsa romantica with her bold and feisty voice. In 1985, she immersed herself in Havana's rhythms, collaborating with elite groups like the Alfredo Rodriguez Group. In 1993, her partnership with 5U4, dubbed the "Beatles of the Americas," solidified her as a musical innovator. Her landmark 2003 album "Pido" showcased her versatility and garnered praise from top artists like Diego Rivas and Jaquin Betancourt. Globally, from Shanghai to Yucatán, Danae's performances have captivated audiences. Collaborations with stars like Simply Red, Orlando Cubajazz Roberto Fonseca, and Grammy nominee Juan Carlos Formell further accentuate her formidable talent.

About Samuel Torres:

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and now based in Brooklyn, NY, Samuel Torres is a Latin Grammy Award-winning percussionist and composer celebrated for his work at the crossroads of Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin jazz, and contemporary classical music. Lauded as “intelligent, sophisticated and explosive” by JazzTimes Magazine, Torres has collaborated with a 'who's who' of the jazz, Latin pop, and classical worlds. His collaborations include Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, and Shakira, among others. He has been featured as a composer and soloist with prominent orchestras worldwide.

In 2019, Torres won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Record with his album 'Regreso,' a concerto for congas and symphony orchestra. He is a recipient of the New Jazz Works Grant by Chamber Music America and a laureate of the Thelonious Monk Jazz Hand Percussion Competition. In 2023, Torres earned his master’s degree in classical composition from the Manhattan School of Music, where he received the Nicolas Flagello Award for his exceptional achievements as a composer.

About Cesar Orozco:

Cesar Orozco is a versatile Cuban/Venezuelan pianist, violinist, composer, and educator. He moved to the US in 2012, earning a Graduate Performance Diploma from The Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University in 2014. Since his 2015 relocation to the NYC area, Orozco has become a highly sought-after pianist, collaborating with renowned artists such as Paquito D'Rivera and Pedrito Martínez.

He is known for his innovative fusion of traditional Venezuelan and Cuban music with jazz through his project Kamarata Jazz. Orozco has released multiple albums, including "Son con Pajarillo" (2007), "Ebano y Marfil" (2008), and "No Limits for Tumbao" (2015), earning awards and nominations.

Throughout his career, Orozco has toured extensively worldwide, performing at prestigious venues and festivals. He is also an accomplished arranger and composer, receiving recognition for his work.

Born in Cuba in 1980, Orozco earned a degree in Violin Performance and Ensemble Conducting from the National School of Arts in Havana in 1998. He later moved to Venezuela and worked with local artists while teaching jazz piano, harmony, and ensembles at the National Experimental University of the Arts in Caracas for over three years.

In addition to his performance career, Orozco is an active educator, offering lectures and masterclasses at renowned US institutions and maintaining a private studio in River Edge, NJ. He is also a faculty member at Corlears School in Manhattan, NY.