New York, NY (Wea/Rhino) - Legendary drumming powerhouse Billy Cobham retraces his Latin roots with Cuban explorers Asere in May.Billy Cobham's trademark is big, fast and powerful drumming, combining rhythmic dexterity with sensitivity and subtlety. A long and distinguished musical career began with playing with Miles Davis at the age of nineteen and includes collaborations with a who's who of modern music -
George Benson, Jack Bruce,
Peter Gabriel, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and John McLaughlin, to name but a few!
What might not be as well known is that Billy was born in Panama and at the age of three moved to New York with his parents. Billy's love for drums was kindled by his cousins who played and constructed steel drums and congas in Panama and some of his earliest memories are of playing Timbales. Although distanced from his Latin roots, this was a culture that sub-consciously influenced and inspired him as a young musician. Now, Billy is reconnecting with his Latin heritage on tour with hot Cuban band Asere. To many, the groundbreaking seven-piece Asere represent young, urban Cuba. They bring the Cuban son tradition into the 21st century and celebrate their cultural brotherhood with people across the Caribbean basin whilst building a fresh sound for a new generation. Theirs is an unmistakeably Cuban perspective with a profound, acoustic sound that is both deeply respectful of their heritage but also has an exciting contemporary edge of its own, blessed by inventive song writing and a soulful groove.Billy and Asere first met and played together at WOMAD in 2002, where they blew the roof off the Siam tent. Fired by mutual respect, spontaneity and enjoyment, this thrilling musical relationship has flourished with two tours in 2006.When interviewed for A Latin Soul, the film about the human story and musical journey behind his and Asere's collaboration, Billy explained why this project is so close to his heart.
'My approach [to music] has got a Latin root and it kinda sets me off from everybody else. Music will tell the world who you are based on what you present and how you present it. You can't lie through that medium, so I find myself trying to connect the dots and to learn and through this relationship with Asere it's helping me make that connection. Things become clearer for me when I listen to the music of Latin America. I'm on a search to find out who I am and it is coming through the music.'
www.myspace.com/billycobhamandasere
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Billy Cobham and Asere Tour Dates:
10.05.07 7.30 Theatr Mwldan CARDIGAN ?15 (14) 01239 621200 www.mwldan.co.uk
11.05.07 8.00 Wyeside Arts Centre BUILTH WELLS ?17 / ?15 / ?10 01982 552555 www.wyeside.co.uk
12.05.07 8.00 Aberystwyth Arts Centre ABERYSTWYTH ?15 01970 623232 www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre
13.05.07 7.30 Taliesin Arts Centre SWANSEA ?15 / ?14 01792 60 20 60 www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk
17.05.07 7.30 The Sage GATESHEAD ?19 0191 443 4661 www.thesagegateshead.org
19.05.07 8.00 Colston Hall BRISTOL ?17 0117 922 3686 www.colstonhall.org
26.05.07 7.30 Cadogan Hall LONDON SW1X 9DQ ?22.50, ?18.50, ?15.50 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com
27.05.07 7.30 Royal & Derngate NORTHAMPTON ?18.00 ?15.50 01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk
28.05.07 23rd Music Meeting NIJMEGEN HOLLAND +31243608813 www.musicmeeting.nl
The Billy Cobham and Asere Tour is a Theatr Mwldan / Astar / Taliesin Arts Centre Co-production under the Arts Outside of Cardiff Scheme, funded by Welsh Assembly Government and Arts Council Wales.
