The concert by Cuban singer Dayme Arocena has really developed into a full-evening programme. So we now present the Belgian première of documentary ‘Havana Cultura Rumba Sessions: La Clave’ by Gilles Peterson, followed by a full-on DJ set by French DJ/producer dEbruit. The timing looks like this:

 

19:00-20:30   Screening: ‘Havana Cultura Rumba Sessions: La Clave’
(1 hour 20 min – Charlie Inman)

Documentary by Charlie Inman, who closely follows record-guru Gilles Peterson on his search for the roots of Cuban rumba, with a starring role for Daymé Arocena.

 

20:30-22:00   Daymé Arocena

« A new rich and powerful voice. » (The Guardian)

AB, Gilles Peterson and his exceptionally high-quality Brownswood label have formed a fine marriage in recent years. Not only Gilles Peterson has visited (just recently with Lefto), labelmates like José James, Zara McFarlane, Ghostpoet and now also Cuba’s Daymé Arocena have all found their way to the AB’s stage too.

At 22, this singer (and also composer and choir leader) is a strikingly charismatic talent within the Cuban music scene. She combines her classical training with Afro-Cuban rhythms and ‘chants’ from the Santeria religion. That results in a Cuban neo-soul sound with a touch of jazz, whereby she doesn’t disguise the influences of her heroes – Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Elis Regina and Erykah Badu.

Gilles Peterson was mad about her ‘deep and chocolaty voice’ right from the start. The result of his admiration: Peterson last year released her debut ‘Nueva Era’ and it was such a big hit that its successor this year already awaits.

 

22:00-24:00   dÉbruit

French producer/composer/instrumentalist Xavier Thomas aka dÉbruit crosses futuristic world-music with exciting beats in his very own special way. He has already worked with Jamie Woon and he sucks up his influences from all over the world. Latest album ‘Débruit & Istanbul’ focuses upon the city previously known as Constantinople, and on ’Aljawal’ (’13) he worked with Sudanese singer Alsarah... Are you ready for a colourful dance set?