Omar Sosa & Yilian Cañizares
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About
Pianist Omar Sosa and violinist-vocalist Yilian Cañizares have come together to create Aguas, a beautiful and very personal album. Featuring their compatriot, percussionist Inor Sotolongo, Aguas reflects the perspectives of two generations of Cuban artists living outside their homeland, interpreting their roots and traditions in subtle and unique ways. Songs range from the poignant to the exuberant, and are expressive of the exceptional musical chemistry, poetic sensibilities, and originality of the artists.
The material on Aguas is an inventive and engaging mix of the artists’ Afro-Cuban roots, Western classical music, and jazz. The album is dedicated to Water, and especially to Oshun, the Goddess of Love and Mistress of Rivers in the Lucumí tradition of Yoruba ancestry known in Cuba as Santería – a spiritual practice important to both artists. As water is synonymous with life, and energy, and strength, and space, the music of the album is inspired by the important influences of water – its hidden powers, its infinite transmutations, and its relentless creation. There is a sense, as well, for Omar and Yilian, of how water represents both separation from, and nostalgia for, the land of their birth.
The 11 tracks on Aguas were written and produced by Omar and Yilian, and recorded and mixed at Artesuono Studios in Udine, Italy by Stefano Amerio.
Press
“Cuban pianist Omar Sosa’s tireless grin and exuberant exploration of Afro-Cuban style with singer / violinist Yilian Cañizares and percussionist Gustavo Ovalles was incomparable. Whether pounding rich montuno, sweeping a romantic ballad, or even dancing energetically with Ms. Cañizares, Sosa’s music lifted the spirits and brought the audience to their feet long before their triumphant finish was drowned in huge applause.”
– Tony Benjamin, Jazzwise Magazine (U.K.)
“In a very subtle and personal way, pianist Omar Sosa and violinist/singer Yilian Cañizares interpret the music of their homeland Cuba, supplemented with jazz and classical music….”
– MUSICFRAMES (NL)
“Yilian Canizares and Omar Sosa sense each other perfectly….an extremely beautiful album that will please many.”
– HEAVEN MAGAZINE (NL)
“On ‘Aguas’ we hear a wide variety of tempi, moods and atmospheres in which craftsmanship, delicacy, elegance and subtlety are the biggest trump cards.”
– OXFAM BRUGGE (BE)
“Aguas is a hugely generous album with many moments of pure gorgeousness.”
– LONDON JAZZ NEWS (UK)
“Violinist and singer Cañizares has a mesmerising stage presence and a warm rapport with Sosa who plays grand piano and keyboards with perfection and grace.”
– LONDON JAZZ NEWS (UK)
“A work of art that has Sosa’s firmly-rooted Cuban style ornamented beautifully by the tender timbre of Canizares’s vocals and violin.”
– RHYTHM PASSPORT (UK)
“This opening performance (Aguas) was the highlight of the concert […] The set carried an air of mystery and spirituality”
– JAZZ JOURNAL (UK)
“With Aguas, these two weave together poetic atmospheres, whose ethereal melodies are carried by a nostalgic swing.”
– TÉLÉRAMA SORTIR (FR)
“‘Aguas is one of those records that testify to a rare artistic encounter.”
– JAZZ MAGAZINE (FR)
“It’s a lyrical, sweet album,and no need to understand Spanish to capture the beauty of the stories they are expressing.”
– A NOUS PARIS (FR)