The Adrienne Arsht Center and the Rhythm Foundation present
BUIKA
November 20, 2010 at 8pm
Knight Concert Hall
Tickets: $30 -$65
“With her singing, Buika traces the line of soul music from Africa, through the shores of the European continent, and then home to America.” – New York Daily News
“With her singing, Buika traces the line of soul music from Africa, through the shores of the European continent, and then home to America.” – New York Daily News
One of Spain’s most sensational new voices! At the crossroads of genres — a place where jazz, flamenco, copla and neo-soul come together in a sublime, musical pact, BUIKA has left audiences across the world spellbound. Her latest project, “El Ultimo Trago,” pays homage to the celebrated Mexican singer, Chavela Vargas, honoring the great Latin American tradition of song with the powerful vocals only BUIKA can deliver. Born in Mallorca, Spain to a family of political refugees from the African nation of Equatorial Guinea, BUIKA truly embodies cross-cultural artistic expression. She has released four widely acclaimed albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists from Nelly Furtado to DJ Chus. BUIKA grew up singing with Spanish gypsies, cut her teeth performing on Ibiza, and now, BUIKA steps into the spotlight as the true, rare talent that she is.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and The Rhythm Foundation proudly announce a one-night-only concert spotlighting the critically-acclaimed flamenco fusion vocalist BUIKA. Grammy-nominated BUIKA brings her soulful voice and tremendous stage presence to the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall on November 20, 2010 at 8 p.m. BUIKA’s performance, the thrilling first installment in the Adrienne Arsht Center’s 2010-2011 World Music Series, pays musical homage to the great Mexican vocalist Chavela Vargas.
Tickets range from $30 to $65 and are on sale now! Tickets may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.
Originally from Mallorca, Spain, BUIKA’s musical repertoire embodies a sublime cross-cultural fusion of styles – mixing the traditional Spanish genre of classic coplas, boleros, and rumbas with jazz, soul, and popular dance rhythms. Recently nominated for two Latin Grammys, BUIKA can currently be heard on Seal’s latest album, Commitment, and is set to appear alongside Antonio Banderas in the latest film from Academy Award-winning Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar.
“It gives us great pride to present this unique and thrilling artist, recently selected as one of NPR’s 50 greatest voices of all time,” said M. John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “Buika is absolutely the perfect artist to launch this season’s World Music Series, as she carries the spirit of Spanish gypsies, the soul of African rhythm, and the drama of classic Latin American song straight to the heart of South Florida!”
BUIKA is an artist who hails from a rich tradition of spirited song. The daughter of political refugees from the African nation of Equatorial Guinea, BUIKA grew up among Spanish gypsies in a house filled with jazz albums. Her unique cross-cultural style has been showcased on traditional flamenco recordings, neo-soul ballads, and house music tracks performed across the United States and Europe. Since releasing her self-titled debut album in 2005, BUIKA has risen to international fame, recording alongside pop diva Nelly Furtado, and headlining festivals from Las Vegas to London. Her second album, Mi Niña Lola (2007), firmly established BUIKA as a master of flamenco rhythms – showcasing her powerful vocals on traditional bulerías and tanguillos, accompanied by famed flamenco guitarist Niño Josele. Her next recording effort, Niña de Fuego (2008), helped catapult BUIKA into the ranks of the most exciting international voices in modern Latin music. Produced, arranged, and directed by five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Javier Limón, the album garnered two Latin Grammy Award nominations and showcased BUIKA in a live performance on the televised awards show.
As a result of this major international exposure BUIKA soon began a rich professional and personal artistic friendship with the acclaimed Mexican singer, Chavela Vargas, who christened BUIKA as “my black daughter… the most amazing and personal voice I have heard in many years.” BUIKA’s latest project pays homage to the incredible artistic legacy Vargas has developed over the past several decades. El Ultimo Trago (2009) reinvents the beloved Vargas repertoire, re-interpreting some of her classic hits: “Las Simples Cosas,” “Sombras,” and “Luz de Luna.” Released in October 2009, as Vargas celebrated her 90th birthday, the album features Cuban piano star Chucho Valdés, and has been heralded as a tequila tablao – as Spanish as it is Mexican, and as old as it is new. BUIKA is currently performing across North America in her first major tour, celebrating the remarkable life of Chavela Vargas and sharing her own remarkable gift through stunning stage performances and griping, passionate vocals.
Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.