| Memory of Water: Sammy Figueroa Plays the Hangpan in Concert, Miami, Feb. 25 |
When we think of percussionist Sammy Figueroa most of us think of spectacular conga solos and exciting Latin jazz. But there's another side to Sammy, the Sammy that has a consuming interest in yoga, science, metaphysics and alternative medicine. This side of Sammy Figueroa loves the celestial and relaxing sounds of the Hangpan.
The HangPan is a hybrid form of the steel drum and a stellar addition to the world of melodic percussion. The sound of the Hangpan reminds us of the fluid and clear nature of water. It awakens ancient memories and renews our souls. We hope you regard this music as a cool drink of water, refreshing and awakening ancient memories of morning rain.
Sammy will be joined by his friends Kamran Khan and Gino Colluci of the band Mantra Grooves and by his longtime musical partner singer-songwriter Rachel Faro. He will perform at Dharma Studios in Miami, Florida on Saturday, February 25th at 8PM. Tickets cost 20 dollars and can be bought here or at the door for 25 dollars.
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| Los Van Van receives Grammy Nomination for Best Traditional Tropical Album |
Ashe Records is proud to announce that their good friends Los Van Van, Cuba's most famous dance band, has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album. We're all waiting for February 15th to find out if they've won. Los Van Van was nominated for and won their first Grammy in 2000 when the Salsa category was introduced and this is their first nomination since then. Get your copy of our boxed set The Legendary Los Van Van while you can -- we've already sold out twice on Amazon and we only have a limited amount of boxes left!
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| Alvin Ailey Dance Company to perform 'Odetta' on their 2017 U.S. Tour |
The Alvin Ailey Dance Company's acclaimed piece "Odetta" continues to be included in their repertory. Having just received a great reception in their winter run at New York's City Center, the company will continue to include Odetta in their upcoming U.S. tour. The inspiration for this work began when Ailey Artist Director Robert Battle attended the memorial for Odetta in New York's Riverside Church with Rachel Faro, president of Ashe Records and producer of the album. Robert was so moved by this memorial, where he heard the words of Maya Angelou and the dedicated singing of Pete Seeger that he encouraged Matthew Rushing to choreograph a suite of dances around several of Odetta's songs. This tribute to one of America's greatest African-American personages remains one of Ailey's most popular offerings.
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| Yomo Toro's 'Celebremos Navidad' is now available on CD! |
After almost ten years of being "out of print" Ashe Records has reissued its classic release, Yomo Toro's 'Celebremos Navidad' on CD. Available online through Amazon Prime. Of course, the album continues to be available on iTunes and other digital outlets.
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| Holiday Music by Odetta and Yomo Toro |
Ashe Records is proud of its relationship to two iconic artists from two important cultures. Odetta, one of America's most distinguished African-American singers and musical scholars, sings the old Christmas Spirituals as they were sung 200 years ago. This is a music that, born of oppression, lifts and frees the spirit. Celebremos Navidad, by Puerto Rico's beloved Yomo Toro, takes the old aguinaldos sung every year at Christmas time in Puerto Rico and offers them back with swinging salsa and bomba/plena arrangements played and sung by Puerto Rico and New York's finest. These records may celebrate the season but they're good all year round.
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