Nine Female Musicians Form RealRhythm Group: Las Cecilias de Cuba
AgeVenture News Service
Generation X isn't just a United States phenomenon, it's global. Like their baby boomer counterparts a few decades ago, this new wave generation is leaving big footprints on all aspects of global culture. That includes innovative adventures in music that both entertain and educate the listener about cultural diversity. Here's the latest installment in multicultural listening pleasure that demonstrates how music fosters solidarity in our global community.
On their debut music CD release "De que te quejas", this group of nine female musicians called "Las Cecilias de Cuba" unleash the power to make people get up and dance, dance, dance. This vibrant band plays the finest, sizzling Cuban Salsa in their distinctive original fusion of traditional Cuban music spiced with Jazz and Rock. Just goes to show you that today's women are a driving force in music innovation and global solidarity.
Ensembles of female musicians have a long tradition in Cuba. Today, a surge of new interest has enabled many talented female artists to find a broader audience. Las Cecilias (photo) represent this new generation of female artists. RealRhythms Productions was quick to see the depth of their talent. After experiencing a few of the group's rehearsals, RealRhythm followed up with many days of intensive work in a recording studio in Havana.
The musical scope of the group's leader, Katja Marquez Rodriguez, not only includes the riches of the Caribbean traditions, but also a fascination for experimenting with other musical styles. Listeners will enjoy the totally upbeat rhythm delivered with the group's energetic heart of soul.
RealRhythm Records was founded by Tom Muhlemann and Stefan Witschi in 1996 to provide serious and authentically played tropical music to a larger audience by promoting live acts and producing audio CDs. Muhlemann, a musician and lawyer, started playing drums to familiarize himself with the many African and Latin American rhythms. Muhlemann met Witschi in a record store in Basel, Switzerland. They shared their passion for Caribbean music, and RealRhythm Records was born.
Stefan Witschi fell in love with Cuban music at the young age of ten. Much later in 1986 at the encouragement of his Cuban music teacher, Stefan visited Cuba hoping to get acquainted with that country's music and culture. His four week visit turned into four years of studying Afro Cuban percussion and Latin American history. He stayed two more years, visiting every corner of Cuba and learning the record production business.
If you're looking for an exciting experience of feel good music, visit your local music store and listen to Las Cecilias de Cuba's CD, "De que te quejas". I found several favorite tracks during my review. Tracks "Aquilino", "Psiquiatria", and "Si la vida se te da" represent the best in classic salsa. However, if you love mood-lifting music and enjoy listening to musicians who are obviously having a great time performing, then the entire CD will remind you why the world is going crazy over Caribbean beat.
Photo credit: RealRhythm Productions, Basel, Switzerland.
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
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