timba! timba! timba!
Right here in Seattle!
http://www.tiempolibremusic.com/
One the hottest young Latin bands today, equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dance venues, Miami-based Tiempo Libre has become known for their imaginative, high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive hard-driving rhythms of their distinctive timba, true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba.
Combining some of the most sought-after musicians in Miami today, the creation of this band emerged from a common desire amongst its founding members, all of them Cuban immigrants and old friends. Schooled in different Havana conservatories and all enjoying thriving careers in Latin music, these seven extraordinary musicians came together to realize their collective musical dream: to create a new musical style by fusing their diverse individual talents with a unique mix of jazz, traditional Cuban and Afro-Cuban music. Their eagerness to share their music with others led these multi-talented musicians to come together between projects to develop their new style together. Hence the name Tiempo Libre (Free Time).
Since their formation in 2001, Tiempo Libre have been on a mission: to share the musical heritage which they grew up with as wide an audience as possible, reinterpreting and reinvigorating traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound.
In January 2005, Tiempo Libre signed a multi-record deal with Shanachie Entertainment. Their debut CD on that label - Arroz con Mango - will be released in May 2005. To support the release of the album, Tiempo Libre will be touring extensively throughout the United States, including performances at the Ravinia Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Festival International de Louisiane, Society of the Performing Arts in Houston, to mention just a few - and they will make their European debut during a tour to Italy in August 2005.
Each of these in-demand musicians has vast experience in the music industry, performing, touring and recording with such artists as Albita, Cachao, Arturo Sandoval, NG La Banda, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Isaac Delgado, Roberto Torres, and DLG to name just a few.