- country:Sweden
- style(s):Cuban, Latin
- label:not signed
- type:Band, Composer/Songwriter
- gender:male
- instrumentation:instrumental
- artist posted by:Världens Kultur ideell förening
Rolando Lara y su grupo Ire.
El Rey Shango "Superior".
Rolando Lara is a musician, composer, bandleader and a leading advocate of afro-Cuban culture. He has truly expanded the vocabulary for the Afro-Cuban music by arranging and performing outstanding constellations with the wide range of afro-Cuban rhythms and other popular Cuban styles, mainly in Scandinavia where he has been living for the past 20 years.
Born and raised in Cuba he brings with him the diversity and richness of the evolved heritage of the afro-Cuban culture. This has also enabled him to explore and create a dynamic fusion with other styles like soul, jazz and funk.
Rolando is the creator and bandleader of "Habaneros" (traditional son) and "TimbaOdara" (afro-Cuban jazz), two very established groups in Scandinavia.
He is the initiator of El Rey Shango "Superior", a unique project composed of 24 musicians, which explores the roots and the very essence of Cuban music. Here you will find original arrangements from the early nineteenth-century to present time, composed by some of the greatest pioneers in the history of Cuban music. This is a rhythmical odyssey with milestones like danzon, bolero, mambo, cha-cha-cha and pilon. The aim of this acclaimed project was to gather and reunite the different eras of Cuban music that has influenced and concurred worldwide. In 2004 Rolando received the honourable recognition of the esteemed cultural grant issued by the city of Gothenburg. This was the beginning of the making of El Rey Shango "Superior". One aim is to invite musicians all over the world to participate and performed in the orchestra consisting of 24 musicians - "El Rey Shango Superior".
The latest production, "Rolando Lara y su Grupo Ire" is an impressive assembly of talented and experienced Cuban musicians living in Europe that has performed with recognized bands like Azucar Negra, Pupy y los que Son Son, El Clan, Afro Cuban Allstar etc. This new and fresh composition of brilliant afro-Cuban musicians delivers a strong, diversified and groundbreaking repertoire of Cuban popular music and jazz-fusion with afro-Cuban rhythms like membe, rumba and bata.
Except existing as "Rolando Lara y su Grupo Ire" this group is also the main core of the unique project "El Rey Shango "Superior".
www.RolandoLara.com. rolando@rolandolara.com