Yissy with Bandaancha at Speakeasy
SXSW presented five Cuban bands direct from Havana on Friday night and the result was nothing short of amazing. To cut costs, four different bands used more or less the same rhythm section of bass, drums and keyboards. Afro-Cuban vocalist Daymé Arocena invoked the spirits of the orishas with her deeply spiritual set. Folk troubadour Kelvis presented a heartfelt series of songs about the glories of the simple life, backed by a band that mixed Cuban timba and jazz. But it was drummer Yissy and her group Bandaancha that illustrated the incredible level of musicianship that exists on the island. Picture this: technically jaw-dropping music wrapped in a hip-shaking sensuality that had the entire Speakeasy crowd dancing to jazz fusion. With all the coming changes between the U.S. and Cuba, this kind of thing may happen more often. And you really shouldn’t miss it. —Felix Contreras
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