Daymé Arocena and Roberto Fonseca at The Chan Centre

Comments 18 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC presents Afro-Cuban neo-soul singer Daymé Arocena and Havana-born piano virtuoso Roberto Fonseca in an exhilarating co-bill on April 15th at the Chan Shun Concert Hall. These shining talents who draw from Cuba’s storied musical tradition will each ignite the stage – Arocena with her intoxicating vocals, and Fonseca with his sophistication on the keys – offering a fresh and modern take on the styles rooted in their Caribbean home country.

Daymé Arocena and Roberto Fonseca at The Chan Centre

Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (at UBC, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver)
When: Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 7:00pm
Tickets: Available online now from $38, in person at the box office, or by calling (604) 822-2697.

Daymé Arocena and Roberto Fonseca at The Chan Centre
Photo credit: (L) Gabriel Guerra Bianchini (R) Arien Chang

Born in Havana in 1992, Arocena is a vocalist, composer, bandleader, and choir director best known for her unique, soulful mix of jazz, rumba, and Cuban neo-soul inspired with chants of the Afro-Cuban Santeria religion. She began to sing when she was four years old and after 10 more years of perfecting her voice, she caught the attention of Cuba’s prestigious band Los Primos, who invited her to become their lead singer.

Arocena’s star quickly began to rise after being discovered by BBC broadcaster and producer Gilles Peterson. A whirlwind of opportunities soon followed, including a collaboration with praised Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett alongside five other Cuban women on the self-titled album, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque. The album won a JUNO Award for ‘Best Group Jazz Album of the Year’ in 2015.

Shortly after graduating, Fonseca left Cuba to “find his sound.” Returning from a tour in Italy, he teamed up with saxophonist Javier Zalba to form Temperamento, the group that would become his creative platform for the next 15 years. Their first album, En El Comienzo, was named ‘Cuba’s Best Jazz Album’ in 1999. Following the release of a series of solo albums, Fonseca found stardom when he was tapped by Buena Vista Social Club to replace Rubén Gonzalez following the pianist’s death in 2003.

Fonseca embarked on a world tour with the Buena Vista Social Club, and joined founding member Ibrahim Ferrer to play more than 400 concerts. Upon returning to Cuba, Fonseca released the album that would bring him mainstream fame, Zamazu, merging many of his influences: Afro-Cuban music, jazz, classical music and traditional Cuban music. He followed it up with Akokan (2009), Live in Marciac (2010) and Yo (2012), the latter of which won him a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Latin Jazz Album’ in 2014.

Pre-Show Talk with Roberto Fonseca – Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 6:00pm at the Chan Shun Concert Hall. Percussionist and Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Provost and VP Academic Sal Ferreras hosts a conversation with Roberto Fonseca. Free for ticket holders.

Win Tickets

The Chan Centre has offered up two tickets for a lucky Miss604 reader to see Daymé Arocena and Roberto Fonseca. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to see Daymé Arocena and Roberto Fonseca at the Chan Centre April 15th @DaymeArocena @ChanCentre http://ow.ly/9y1k30j7TrG” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 29, 2018. Follow The Chan Centre on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information about upcoming shows.

Update The winner is @BethAroundTown!

Current Contests on Miss604
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

18 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Shelley ButcherFriday, March 23rd, 2018 — 6:46pm PDT

    This sounds amazing!

  2. wenFriday, March 23rd, 2018 — 7:29pm PDT

    So close to sweet sounds!

  3. YeijiFriday, March 23rd, 2018 — 9:52pm PDT

    What amazing performers Chan Centre will be hosting!

  4. JazzyFriday, March 23rd, 2018 — 11:07pm PDT

    I would love to go!

  5. Andy C.Saturday, March 24th, 2018 — 1:46am PDT

    Cuban music without the flight!

  6. RobSaturday, March 24th, 2018 — 12:35pm PDT

    I’d love to go! This would be amazing.

  7. TaraSaturday, March 24th, 2018 — 12:36pm PDT

    What a great concert. I’d love to see them.

  8. daneSunday, March 25th, 2018 — 5:06pm PDT

    Pre-Show Talk and concert

  9. EileenSunday, March 25th, 2018 — 5:13pm PDT

    Sounds like a great concert!

  10. Jason BMonday, March 26th, 2018 — 9:36am PDT

    Sounds interesting

  11. Randahl NegrinTuesday, March 27th, 2018 — 10:58am PDT

    OMG!!
    HI there,
    This concert has been sold out for a while now (no seats side by side).
    My wife & i would love the opportunity to see Dayme & Roberto live. There really are PHENOMENAL!!! (Yes we have a few of there songs/arrangements downloaded.)
    Thx for having the contest.
    All the BEST!!

  12. Teresa KTuesday, March 27th, 2018 — 6:41pm PDT

    Yay!

  13. Anne BWednesday, March 28th, 2018 — 5:13pm PDT

    Looks like a great show!

  14. Stella PanagiotidisWednesday, March 28th, 2018 — 7:48pm PDT

    This concert looks amazing! I would so love to take my bestie! ❤

  15. Rebecca kean F.Thursday, March 29th, 2018 — 11:20am PDT

    What a wonderful concert this would be

  16. Emily TThursday, March 29th, 2018 — 4:38pm PDT

    Sounds awesome!

  17. KellySaturday, March 31st, 2018 — 3:40pm PDT

    Would love to go!

  18. Bonnie LamSunday, April 1st, 2018 — 3:48am PDT

    Sweet. Good luck to you all. Huggies.

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