Top Cuban Pianist Brings World Music To Scotland
One of the world's leading music acts is set for a tour of Scotland that will see him perform in venues from Shetland to Glasgow. Omar Sosa, who was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the USA's renowned Smithsonian Institute for his contribution to Latin American music, will be appearing as part of the Scottish Arts Council's Tune Up programme.
Sosa attended the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Musica in his native Cuba before moving to San Francisco where he launched his recording career, playing piano and releasing a series of albums encompassing jazz ballads, rap, funk and African folklore. He will be on tour as part of a trio, performing with Tunisian Dhafer Youssef who is lauded for his beautiful voice and masterful Arab flute playing, and leading percussionist Marque Gilmore.
The performances are all part of the ambitious Tune Up programme which is Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Funded. It represents an opportunity for people and communities from all over the country to sample a wide range of the highest quality live music in many genres, ranging from classical and Gaelic to world and jazz.
Omar Sosa said: "We're very excited about playing in Scotland. I know the audiences there are very knowledgeable about their music and playing live will bring us some special memories, I'm sure."
Ian Smith, Head of Music for Scottish Arts Council said: "This is a great bonus for Tune Up and Scotland to attract musicians of the calibre of Omar Sosa, Dhafer Youssef and Marque Gilmore. These musicians have attracted plaudits from the media, the music industry and audiences across the world. Their tour will no doubt be a highlight of this year’s musical calendar."
Nine top producers are delivering segments of Tune Up and different tours will be undertaken over the next ten months as part of the Tune Up programme, which will run through until July 2007.
Billy Kelly of Soundsfine who is producing the Omar Sosa tour, said: "Attracting live music of this quality is a real milestone for Tune Up. These are world class artists who have been recognised for their abilities in some of the highest circles of music appreciation across the world. Scottish audiences are in for a treat."
Next tour dates for Omar Sosa: Oct 19th, Town Hall Lerwick; Oct 20th, The Space Dundee; 21st Oct, Tolbooth Stirling; 22nd Oct, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Strathclyde Suite).