'Area 52' is Rodrigo y Gabriela's first recorded collaboration with another group of musicians; a thirteen piece Cuban orchestra composed of some of Havana's finest young players, collectively known as the C.U.B.A.
On 'Area 52' Rodrigo y Gabriela revisit nine of their compositions and
reinterpret them in a new and dramatic fashion, this is Rodrigo y Gabriela as they have never been heard before.
Album Tracklisting
1. Santo Domingo feat. Samuel Folmell Alfonso on drums
2. Hanuman feat. John Tempesta on drums
3. Ixtapa feat. Anoushka Shankar on sitar
4. 11:11 feat. Carles Benevant on bass & Carlota Teresa Polledo Noriega on vocals
5. Master Maqui feat. Le Trio Joubran on ouds
6. Diablo Rojo
7. Logos
8. Juan Loco feat. Carlos Benavent on bass
9. Tamacun feat. John Tempesta on drums
Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. 2012 Tour Dates On Sale Now
Rodrigo y Gabriela are bringing their phenomenal Cuban band C.U.B.A. on the road this year where they will be recreating the thrilling takes of Area 52 in a live setting. European shows are selling fast. North American shows have just been announced and are on sale now.
North American Tour with C.U.B.A.
Apr 20 - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY : Tickets
Apr 21 - Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA : Tickets
Apr 23 - Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA : Tickets
Apr 25 - Warner Theatre, Washington, DC : Tickets
Apr 26 - NTELOS Wirelss Pavillion, Charlottesville, VA : Tickets
Apr 28 - The Tabernacle, Atlanta GA : Tickets
May 1 - The Filmore at Jackie Gleason Theatre, Miami Beach, FL : Tickets
May 4 - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA : Tickets
May 5 - Stubb's, Austin, TX : Tickets
Amik Guerra Lig-Long was born on May 11, 1973 in Havana, Cuba, where he also grew up and finished successfully his studies in the "Escuela Nacional de Instructores de Arte". Amik Guerra has made his reputation with a combination of skill in trumpet, percussion and arrangement. After leaving Cuba in 1994 he worked with the most prominent names of jazz and latin music in the world.
Biilly Cobham, Michael Brecker, Horacio el Negro Hernandez and Italuba, Roy Hargrove, Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, Israel Lopez Cachao, Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, Buena Vista Social Club, Josè Alberto el Canario, Alfredo de la Fè, Tito Nieves, Giovanni Hidalgo, New York Salsa All Stars, Mercadonegro, Cheo Feliciano, Jimmy Bosch, Albita Rodriguez,Afro Cuban All Stars, Rodrigo y Gabriela & C.U.B.A, just to name a few with whom he is on stage or recording. He is among the most prominent jazz trumpeter of the modern era in Europe, and a very well-known instrumentalist in latin music.
In February 2012 Nardy Castellini started a new musical adventure from Dublin to Zurich playing with a new amazing band called C.U.B.A, in support of the world famous guitar players RODRIGO Y GABRIELA. R&G in this Tour were presenting their new album AREA 52 recorded in Cuba at the end of 2011. This record is charged with deep references to the Cuban musical roots. So far Rodrigo and Gabriela have been recording and touring only as a duo and this collaboration with C.U.B.A marks an evolution in their music.
The spirit of Irakere and Paquito D'Riverason invoked by Jesse Varela in his introductory notes comes out in this premier CD of the Cuban saxophonist. This reporter is a witness that it is no vain or exaggeration, not in as much as the fact that the work of Castellini can invoke ancestral memories, but for its quality and originality cherished in his music, which unites him with his illustrious ancestors. To illustrate only one example is necessary: the dialog to which he submits his saxophone with the veteran percussionist Tata Guínes
Alfredo Hechavarria Ruddock – one of the exceptional bass players in Modern Cuba. He started early.... Born in Santiago de Cuba, he began playing and studying the guitar as a boy. He went on to the Music University of Havana, where he took up the bass. Cuban bands noticed him as he was still a University student. He played, amongst others, with the Na-tional Septett, Diakara under the direction of Oskar Valdés - the Singer and Grammy winner of Irakere, Haila, Issac Delgad and currently with Rodrigo y Gabriela. Several tours around the world ensued. Playing the bass is his passion, composing his soul and arranging his challenge. Whether it is E-Bass or Baby-Bass: Alfredo sets the groove with his personal, expressive style. His cleverly thought-out workshop programme, ranging from jazz to salsa, is an inspiration for both amateurs and professionals in the whole world.
Alex Wilson is one of the UK's foremost keyboard players. He has travelled to fifty countries performing with artists as diverse as Wynton Marsalis, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Marc Anthony, Jocelyn Brown, Courtney Pine, Hugh Masakela & DJ Snowboy.
His composing & production career is equally diverse with Artist Residencies and writing commissions for Harrogate International Festival, Aldeburgh Music and The Royal Opera House and his theatre score for NITRO's The Wedding Dance to his TV music placed on Channel 4, the series '24', Discovery Channel and the Sandra Bullock film The Proposal.
With eight solo albums to his name including Mali Latino which achieved a Best of 2010 accolade from Songlines magazine and Salsa Veritas, Alex has firmly established himself in the world of Latin Music and beyond. He currently resides in Zürich. Switzerland.
Edwin is the ultimate percussionist sidesman having worked with Rodrigo y Gabriela, Dave Valentin, Salsa New York All Stars, Henri Guedon, Tony Martinez Cuban power, Africando, Jimmy Bosch, Troupe de Danse International Du Bejart de Lausanne, Ardag, Andy Montanez, Richie Ray et Bobby Cruz, Jose Alberto El Canario, Tito Nieves, Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto Santiago, Mali Latino, Richie Flores, Frankiln Morales, Alex Wilson, Willie Gonzalez, Albita Rodriguez, Los Reyes (Gypsy King), Donaldo Flores, Mercadonegro, Daniel Santa Cruz, Orquesta Gali, Batambo, Solside, Franklin Veloz, Hope Project, Groupe de Flamenco, Zumbao, Deldongo and Tenor Emiliano Gonzalez
Based in Ixtapa, Pablo was discovered by Rodrigo y Gabriela while performing with his group. They were so impressed with his musicality that they invited Pablo to perform on their eighteen-date tour of the USA in April 2012. Pablo was born in Mexico City and has his own group Son de Aka.
