New Zealand’s own Cuban Jazz band Ke lo Ke Es honour the incredible musical legacy of Cuba’s jazz musicians, past and present, with an exciting performance by eight musicians from around the globe.
Leaning on the Afro-Cuban roots of the music, Ke lo Ke Es channels the spirit of the ground-breaking musical laboratory Irakere, along with other Grammy-award winning artists like Buena Vista Social Club, Juan Formell and Los Van Van, Poncho Sanchez, Alexander Abreu, and Habana D’ Primera, and more.
Isbert Ramos Mediaceja ‘Vivio’, a pioneer of Cuban music and dance in New Zealand, brings together an exceptional ensemble of Latin and jazz musicians hailing from Cuba, Chile, Scotland, England and Aotearoa. Each has made their mark in Kiwi-Latino bands like: Fuente Baynes, Havana Groove, Matecito Latin Band, Calle Latina, Grupo Sa-Son, as well as in jazz ensembles like the Kevin Field Band, Auckland Jazz Orchestra, New Bop Quintet, Panacea, and Goldsmith Baynes. The line-up is:
Vocals and percussion — ISBERT RAMOS MEDIACEJA ‘VIVIO’ (Cuba)
Vocals and percussion — MARCELO VALENCIA STUARDO (Chile)
Piano — MARK BAYNES — (England)
Bass and vocals — ALEX GRIFFITH (Aotearoa)
Trumpet — MIKE BOOTH (Aotearoa)
Saxophone and flute — PETE FRANCE
Percussion — IGNACIO VALENCIA ‘NACHO’ (Chile)
Percussion and vocals — EDWIN WESTERMEIER (Chile)
Ke lo Ke Es (pronounced ‘Kay Low Kay Es’) also performs as ten-piece band Ke lo Ke, and four-to-six piece ensemble Vivio & Friends, and have taken the stage at the National Jazz Festival, Kerikeri Jazz Festival, Ponsonby Social Club, Salsa Tumbao Festival, Crown Range Lounge, Botticelli, among others.
Get ready to be transported to the heart of Cuba!
To view the band, go to: https://www.facebook.com/KeloKeBand
Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.