Cuban genius Leo Brouwer has confirmed the participation of US musician Bobby McFerrin to the sixth edition of the Leo Brouwer Festival, event that will bring together more than 300 artists from about ten countries.
Brouwer told OnCuba that McFerrin’s participation is a fact and added: “he just needs the approval by the State Department, but it seems there will be no obstacles”.
The Cuban renowned musician stated the US artist will come alone and “he will have one guest artist only, a very special one: maestro Chucho Valdes”, noted with a provocative smile as an advance of the highlights of the concert, which has been arranged for September 27, at the Karl Marx Theater.
McFerrin, also a renowned musician, singer, showman, songwriter, conductor and record producer, will visit Cuba for the first time in response to an invitation by maestro Leo Brouwer and will be in charge of the opening of the event, which is scheduled from September 26 through October 12 in different scenarios in the Cuban capital.
The performance of the “Scat[1] King”, as he is known by many, will be entitled Bobby Meets Havana and he will interpret his mythical song “Don’t worry, be happy”, which used to be a number one in the US hit parade after it was included in the soundtrack of the film Cocktail (1988), stared by Tom Cruise.
This outstanding artist, winner of about ten Grammy Awards, has announced he will interact with the Cuban audience for about 90 minutes to get hold of the real Cuban essence, reads a note published in the website of the event.
The Sixth Leo Brouwer Festival on Chamber Music has also invited US Jenny Q Chai (piano) and Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Argentinean Fito Páez and Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud –renowned as one of the best violin players in the world–, among many other artists from Brazil, Mexico, Spain, the Czech Republic, Colombia, Paraguay, Italy and Uruguay.
[1]Improvised jazz singing in which the voice is used in imitation of an instrument.
