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Tiempo Libre

The Nelson Daily

Conga line and Bach — only at the Kaslo Jazz Fest

The Nelson Daily

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Ever seen a conga line break out during a performance of Bach?  

Kaslo will when the three-time Grammy nominated Cuban music group Tiempo Libre is one of the groups which will perform on Saturday, August 3 (Tiempo Libre plays at 9 p.m.) as part of the Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival.

The group will offer a workshop on Sunday, August 4 at 12:30 p.m. Tickets for Saturday at the Kaslo Jazz Festival are $68 in advance, $75 at the gate; youth tickets for ages 13 – 17 years are $28; tickets for 12 and younger are free with paid adult.  Tickets and may be purchased by calling 250-353-7548 or visiting kaslojazzfest.com.

The Cuban government forbade its citizens to listen to American radio when the members of Tiempo Libre were growing up in Cuba. But, like teenagers everywhere, that which was forbidden was what the members of Tiempo Libre most desired.

The Cuban teenagers fashioned antennas out of salvaged aluminum foil and clothes hangers and climbed up on their rooftops secretly at night to tune into the music which pulsated from Miami airwaves.

This music of the night fueled their dreams of living in America and ultimately gave them the strength to leave it all behind – families, friends, a country, a life – to pursue those dreams.  

Through Tiempo Libre’s latest timba album, My Secret Radio, the seven musicians express the thrill they received from their secret rooftop radio sessions as well as the difficulties they faced having to start from scratch in America, a culture so foreign and different from Cuba.  

Tiempo Libre has become known around the world for its joyous, sophisticated, dance-inducing concerts of a Cuban style of music called timba – a high-energy combination of Latin jazz and traditional Cuban "son." There hasn't been a concert yet where people haven't gotten out of their seats to dance in the aisles.

Their goal is to serve as ambassadors to their Cuban musical heritage, while celebrating their new American experience.  (They are based out of Miami now.)

It’s impossible to listen to their music and sit still, just try it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTLfXpnA5E

You may also download some of their tracks here: tinyurl.com/tiempolibretracks

read the full article: The Nelson Daily