BRONX MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater
Kinto Zono
Jarana Beat
Curated by Elena Martinez
(Co-Artistic Director, Bronx Music Heritage Center)
The Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theatre perform the Hana Dance, a mix of traditional genres including paranda and hunguhungu, during our Bronx Living Legend Concert
Luz Soliz-Ramos is the founder of Garifuna Heritage Center for the Arts and Culture and Co-Choreographer & Artistic Director of the Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theatre. It was originally established as the Hamalali Wayunagu Garifuna Dance Company in 1992 in The Bronx.
Luz was inspired by her teachers: Lee Aca Thompson, Lavinia Williams-Yarborough, Leonor Latimer, Albert Reid, Walter Raines and her Garifuna friend, Manuela Sabio, who started the Wanichigu Garifuna Dance Company in Brookly in the early 90s. Luz’s sisters, daughter, brother-in-law, husband and members of the dance company teach with her.
Luz Soliz-Ramos studied dance and drama at Bard College and teaches at Boricua College where she’s presently a full- time Faculty Facilitator. She taught for the New York City Department of Education for more than twelve years. She holds a Master’s Degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, New York City.
Luz Soliz-Ramos is also author of her book, Learn Garifuna Now! which is dedicated to her daughter and to all Garinagu who want to continue to preserve the language.
Contact Catherine Oshun Soliz: askcatherinehow@gmail.com
Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theatre
KINTO ZONÓ Bum Bum Bum
152nd Street Cultural Festival at Jackson Avenue
May 26th 2018 Puerto Rican Day Parade, NYC
In the forefront of these new innovations is Kinto Zonó. The band was formed in 2017, under the direction of Nelson "Mateo" Gonzalez (who grew up at Rincón Criollo), Jorge "Georgie" Vazquez, and George "Nate" Velasquez.
Kinto Zonó is an 11-piece ensemble consisting of two brass, piano, bass, and full-on percussion bringing the sounds of Puerto Rico with a modern twist and a New York style of playing plena and bomba. Kinto Zonó had the privilege to share stages such as Plena Libre, Bobby Sanabria, El Gran Combo and many more.
Their mission is to keep the musical tradition of Puerto Rico alive and fresh with a New York attitude.
Contact: Matthew Gonzalez mgonzalez2160@gmail.com
Kinto Zonó
En el #FestivalDigitalLAUD, Jarana Beat, La banda mexicana es un homenaje a los ritmos tradicionales latinos, andaluces y afroamericanos con mensajes de conc...
“Mexico-via-Bronx combo Jarana Beat weaves intricate rhythms and delicate plucks with rich, yearning vocals to gorgeous and surprisingly jolly effect. Great stuff.”
—Time Out New York
Double Nominee at the 2020 Independent Music Awards and winner of the 2015 Mexican Music Award for Best Contemporary Folk Band, this 10-piece band incorporates music and dance into its vibrant live performances. Jarana Beat blends Mexican folk and Afro-Amerindian musical traditions with the percussive footwork of dancers to create an irresistibly spirited and uplifting cross-cultural sound.
Led by composer/producer Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza, the band gathers professional performers from Mexico and other parts of Latin America, and creates an authentic soundscape influenced by the encounter of folkloric mexican afro music with contemporary ideas. JARANA BEAT uses a great variety of traditional instruments, afro-indigenous percussion and specially tuned wooden platforms for the percussive footwork of the dancers. The audience can NOT resist dancing and being part of the experience.
Jarana Beat