Special concert 'Yo Soy Una Mujer (con tantas mujeres dentro)' - with a theme on London Colombian intergenerational female artists, in line with the central message of sorority of the titled song by the main artist, Luz Elena Caicedo. The concert also brings to attention, the story behind the inspiration and creative process involved in this noteworthy composition of universal reach, that took place during the recent pandemic. Singer and songwriter Luz Elena Caicedo in her song, celebrates sorority and highlights women's continuous struggles for a more balanced and equal world. Sorority and music, two powerful tools to change the world.
Featuring special guest, Painter Leo Rodriguez exhibiting his significant painting, that inspired Luz Elena's titled song 'Yo soy una Mujer', an ode to women, composed during the pandemic. There will also be performances from the Latin American Community Choir and young female Colombian artists; the well-established British Colombian singer songwriter Stephanie Santiago and the young aspiring singer Allison Zapata.
** Special Mention to Tatiana Moreno, History of Art student at the time, who brought together the artists (painter and singer) and the Artist Leo Rodriguez for the inspiration of the song with his painting and to a degree, both helping with the idea and concept behind this concert **
We support the work of Tairona Heritage Trust charity https://www.taironatrust.org/ whereby £1 from each ticket sold will go to this organisation, for their valuable work in Colombia. For more information about the charity and their work, please visit their website included above.
Painting: Female nude by Colombian artist Leo Rodriguez, the inspiration behind the powerful women's song 'Yo Soy Una Mujer - con tantas mujeres dentro' by Luz Elena Caicedo, written during the pandemic in early 2021.
LUZ ELENA CAICEDO:
Luz Elena Caicedo from Cali Colombia is one of London’s most accomplished and versatile Latin American singers, as well as an ethnomusicologist and events organizer. She fronts and leads her own two bands, the renowned Conjunto Sabroso Salsa band which she has successfully run for over 20 years, helping them to become a household name in the UK, and her Matices Latinos Quartet, a more acoustic project focusing on folkloric and traditional Latin American rhythms.
With Conjunto Sabroso she got a No.1 in Cali (Colombia) the Salsa Capital of the world, from DJ El Chino’s Solar Latin Club chart, for their salsa version of the East African lullaby ‘Malaika’ from their first album ‘Ya Tengo Lo Que Queria’. In 2022 Luz Elena’s song El Sueño Del Guajiro’ was included in the book ‘Esta Salsa Me Gusta’ by Saul Delhom, where 110 other Salsa singers from around the world also feature.
She also created and directs The Latin American Community Choir, and the ‘Cimarrón Festival’ which celebrates the African cultural legacy in Latin America. Her ethnomusicology Masters dissertation 'Cantaoras' Guardianas de La Tradición focused on the importance of female singers within 'Currulao', one of the main Afro-Colombian musical traditions of the Pacific coast.
STEPHANIE SANTIAGO:
The smell of cloves and cinnamon, the taste of café con panela (sweetened coffee), the sound of cumbia, the warmth of the accordion, and plenty of glasses filled with rum and guaro (liqueur), are just some of the things that remind Stephanie Santiago of her land, all detailed in the opening lyrics to “Alma Carnavalera”, the title track of her new EP; it’s a song which sees her pine for the Colombia of her roots.
Born in South East London to Colombian musician parents – her father an accordionist, her mother a singer – cumbia and salsa filled Stephanie’s childhood. But like anyone, she needed to find her own way, to discover London’s multifarious subcultures, to get lost in the energies of youth music. Her early work reflects this, with forays into soul, jazz, hip hop, even punk, opportunities to experiment but also refine an inherent talent for songwriting and an ability to inhabit songs with her voice.
Glimpses of Latin music have emerged in her music before – it would be impossible for them not to – but this EP signals a new chapter in her career in which her heritage and search for identity are brought to the fore. “Alma Carnavalera” (“Carnival Soul”) is filled with an immigrant nostalgia for being in a distant place: “Too far from my homeland, a grey autumn in search of eternal spring” she sings, while always trying to bring a dose of home wherever she is, the verse ending “here we bring the carnival sabor (flavour)”. Echoes of carnival can be heard in the song’s make-up, its focus on vocals, percussion and bass indicative of traditional female-led bullerengue that is still performed along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, and the sound of gaita flute synonymous with cumbia at its most carnivalesque.
On “Activa Tu Cuerpo” (“Activate Your Body”) she once more conjures up visions of Colombia, the taste of fresh fruit, the smells of mountains and sugarcane, the serenades of the birds, but rather than pining for her homeland, this time she is “creating an inner paradise to get through the toughest moments”, committing her body to find peace, balance, both physical and mental. As with the title track, “Activa Tu Cuerpo” was produced by Andrés Pascua, this time allowing for a jazz-funk bass melody to lead the way while Santiago’s voice cannot hide its admiration for master female Colombian vocalists like Petrona Martinez, dancing around the melodies, powerful when it needs to be. Sampled vocals, cumbia flute and a hip-swaying coda bedevilled by a twisted guitar line complete the picture.
The Alma Carnavalera EP is the first in a series of releases from Stephanie Santiago that will see her explore her Colombian heritage, revealing a new sound informed by life in London and Latin American lineage. Home has always been in Stephanie’s heart, now we get to hear it.
+ The Latin American Community Choir, plus aspiring young singer Allison Zapata
ALLISON ZAPATA:
Allison Henao Zapata, born in Spain to Colombian parents, discovered her passion for music at an early age, despite being the first in her family to pursue it as a career. Moving to the UK at nine years old, she continued to cultivate her musical talents, which have led her to perform at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and tour Rhineland, Germany with the Jane Holloway Choir from the University of Royal Holloway.
Recently, Allison showcased her versatility across musical theatre, pop, jazz, and Latin genres at Royal Holloway's Summer Festival with her band. Currently focused on her music studies, Allison is dedicated to composing, performing, and sharing her talents through platforms like YouTube and Instagram. With her ability to connect deeply with audiences through diverse musical styles and her unwavering dedication, Allison is emerging as a captivating and influential presence in the music world.
The Artist (Painter): LEO RODRIGUEZ:
Leo Rodriguez is a contemporary artist today. He started in the art world as a makeup artist and hair stylist working for different media and television in his hometown Bogotá Colombia. His love for art in all its dimensions focused this time on hair colorimetry and thanks to this new approach he won a competition in the hairdressing industry and his life took a 180 degree turn. Thanks to this he was hired to work in Madrid Spain. Years later, his mind expanded artistically and he had the opportunity to work in different European countries such as France, Italy, Germany, and England in the city of London. In love with London, he decided to make this city his place of residence and begin art studies at Morley College of Arts and Westminster Kingsway College London. His artistic interests also approach photography, abstract and figurative mind expanded artistically and he had the opportunity to work in different European countries such as France, Italy, Germany, and England in the city of London.
His artistic interests also approach photography, abstract and figurative painting. He is also the author of the cover of the book ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS" of the group of writers of Lust and Muses edited by The Eye of Culture in the city of London. In his own words: I see my versatile tastes; I like to experiment with different techniques and styles from the abstract to the figurative, always with vibrant colours.
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