More Information About Tiempo Libre at Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops

Website

http://www.sandiegosymphony.com/concert_detail.php?indexid=458

Description

Matthew Garbutt
Conductor

Tiempo Libre
Three-time Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre is one the hottest young Latin bands today. Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dance venues, the members of the Miami-based band are true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba.

Tiempo Libre’s members were all classically trained at La ENA, Cuba’s premiere conservatory during the “Special Period” in Cuba. Today, the group is a hit in the U.S. and abroad, celebrated for its incendiary, joyful performances of timba, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son cubano.

Recently signed to Sony, the group released its latest album Bach in Havana – a fusion of Bach with Afro-Cuban rhythms featuring guest tracks by Paquito d’Rivera and Yosvany Terry – in 2009. The CD was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Tropical Latin Album category and is currently being played on more than 200 radio stations. Millions of television viewers enjoyed the group’s performance of “Tu Conga Bach” from Bach in Havana on prime-time TV’s Dancing with the Stars.

Tiempo Libre was invited to collaborate on the duet “Para Tí” with violinist Joshua Bell, which was featured on Bell’s recent album At Home with Friends. The group also performed the track with Bell on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, the January 21st Live from Lincoln Center: Joshua Bell At Home with Friends PBS Special and on WNYC radio’s popular program Soundcheck. In the fall of 2008, Tiempo Libre brought its dynamic Afro-Cuban beat to leading flutist Sir James Galway’s album, O’Reilly Street, released by the RCA Red Seal label.

Following up being named “Best Latin Band 2008” by the Miami New Times, Tiempo Libre brought a true Cuban experience to its American hometown of Miami, with the interactive musical production Miami Libre, which premiered at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in July, 2008. Miami Libre, based on the band’s collective immigrant experience, is told through English and Spanish narrative, sizzling music and explosive dance.

Tiempo Libre’s members were all enjoying thriving careers in Latin music performing, touring and recording with such artists as Albita, Cachao, Arturo Sandoval, NG La Banda, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Isaac Delgado, when the seven extraordinary musicians came together to realize their collective musical dream: to create the first authentic all-Cuban timba band in the United States. Their eagerness to share their music with others led these multi-talented individuals to come together between projects to develop their new style together, hence the name Tiempo Libre (Free Time).

Since their formation in 2001, the members of Tiempo Libre have been on a mission: to share the musical heritage in which they grew up with as wide an audience as possible, reinterpreting and reinvigorating traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound and forging a new style born from the meeting of their Cuban roots and their new American experience. In addition to their performing and recording careers, the members of Tiempo Libre are particularly committed to the sharing of their rich musical traditions through outreach and educational activities and have participated in artist in residence programs at Michigan State University and Interlochen Academy. The group has also become known for its inspiring classes on rumba, Latin jazz, and traditional Cuban music, designed to reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

About the Ticket Supplier: San Diego Symphony

In the 100+ years since its inception, the San Diego Symphony has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States, and was recently designated a Tier 1 Orchestra by the League of American Orchestras. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of the San Diego region, valued by and relevant to all its residents.

The San Diego Symphony offers a wide range of concert experiences and performs over 100 concerts each season, including performances at downtown San Diego's historic Copley Symphony Hall. Various concert series include the Jacobs Masterworks series led by Music Director Jahja Ling, offering traditional classical repertoire; the Winter Pops series, featuring Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and popular guest artists; the Family Festival, featuring family-friendly concerts; and Symphony Exposé, a fascinating series of concerts that examine classical works from entertaining and thought-provoking angles. The orchestra has recently launched a Chamber Music Series to highlight individual orchestra members performing with esteemed guest artists. Each year, from July through September, the Symphony presents an outdoor Summer Pops season at Embarcadero Marina Park South, mixing classical favorites and pop music in a festive, outdoor atmosphere on San Diego's picturesque waterfront.

In 2010 the San Diego Symphony celebrated their 100th anniversary, the first California orchestra to reach this milestone.