Song:7 Rayos
Album:Yo
Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca toured for several years with Buena Vista Social Club. He is just now emerging as a leader with his 2012 CD Yo. It was nominated for a Grammy. Fonseca's music is a mix of jazz, Cuban and African music. African musicians frequently tour with him. He was born Mar. 29, 1975 in Havana, Cuba. His father was a drummer and his mother Mercedes Cortes Alfaro is a singer who has appeared on his albums. His older half brothers are drummer Emilio Valdes and pianist Jesus "Chuchito" Valdes Jr. Fonseca started out on drums but switched to piano at age 8. He played local clubs as a teen. Fonseca has a master's degree in composition from Instituto Superior de Arte. He first recorded in 1999 with the group Temperamento led by sax player Javier Zalba. After recording a couple of solo albums, he toured for several years with Buena Vista Social Club. He appeared on albums by Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Ibrahim Ferrer, Manuel Guajiro Mirabel and Omara Portuondo. Fonseca signed with Enja Records. His 2007 CD Zamazu was highly acclaimed and a song was used in the Will Smith film Hancock. Fonseca recorded three albums for Enja and then switched to Concord for the 2012 CD Yo. This CD was his first appearance on the jazz charts and he's up for a Best Latin Jazz Album Grammy. Guest musicians include Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara and Mailian percussionist Baba Sissoko who appears on 7 Rayos. Roberto Fonseca is just getting started. Keep an eye on him in the future. Here's Roberto Fonseca with Baba Sissoko performing 7 Rayos at Duc des Lombards in Paris April 2012.
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