‘New Cuban groove’ is what they call it themselves, Cuban music of the year 2024 that exudes joy and energy. The members of El Comité have each earned an excellent reputation in both jazz and Cuban music. As a band they cannot be categorized and their virtuosity allows them to steer clear from clichés. On their new album Carrousel we hear influences from latin jazz and Thelonious Monk alongside classical melodies and covers by, among others, Rosalía and The Weeknd.
‘The name El Comité is actually a joke,’ said drummer Rodney Barreto in an interview with Dutch magazine Slagwerkkrant. ‘When you speak of a “Comité” in Cuba, one immediately thinks of government institutions such as Comité de Defensa de la Revolución, so people tend to laugh when they hear our name.’ Co-founder Barreto played with Cuban legends such as Omara Portuondo and Chucho Valdés. The other members also have impressive careers full of prestigious names such as Buena Vista Social Club, Irakere, David Murray, Esperanza Spalding, and Richard Bona.
After the concert the music will continue with Salsa Panorama, a Cuban salsa party at our café with an incredible view, where everybody is invited to dance.
Rolando Luna piano/keys, Carlos Sarduy trumpet, Irving Acao tenor & soprano sax, Gaston Joya contrabas/basgitaar, Rodney Barreto drums, Yaroldy Abreu percussion
