Roberto FonsecaAKOKAN

Born in 1975 (Havana) into a musical family, Roberto Fonseca –

despite having been described in many different ways (“the most

promising and important talent in Cuban music”, “A true revelation

who stands out among pianists of his generation”) – remains faithful

to the wish he has had since the beginning of his career: ”I want my

music to reach people who don’t know me, and I dream of one day

becoming a point of reference for my audience…”

He started studying piano at the age of 8, though his initial passion

was percussion. This interest from such an early age would clearly

influence his trademark “percussive” piano-playing style. His first

“job” was as the drummer for a band doing covers of Beatles songs.

At the age of 14, he created his first compositions, drawing inspi-

ration from the Afro-Cuban genre: “At school we used to regard

American jazz as a point of reference; I felt that my music would

be a fusion of both genres … I liked lots of jazz musicians, such as

Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, but also old American funk and

soul classics”.

His appearance as a pianist, aged just 15, was a revelation at

Havana’s “Jazz Plaza” International Festival; he completed his aca-

demic training as both pianist and teacher. After this, his desire to

improve and learn further led him to take a degree in Musical Com-

position at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). At the age of 21,

guided by the need to fuse his music with other styles, he embarked

on a tour across Italy with singer Augusto Enriquez, which included

performances on the state TV channel, RAI. Roberto’s path would

cross, one year later, with saxophonist Javier Zalba (Irakere, Cuba-

nismo), with whom he formed the group “Temperamento”.

In a year of intense creativity, he recorded and produced his first

album “En el Comienzo”, which won the award for best Jazz album

at the Cubadisco´99 festival; he co-produced, arranged and played

on Augusto Enriquez’s album, “Cuando Yo Sea Grande”, and recor-

ded his first solo album “Tiene Que Ver” which he released in 1999,

receiving an award in the popular Cuban music category of the Tri-

malca competition, organised by UNESCO. His second solo work was

quick to be released, and in 2000 he presented “No Limit”, recorded

and produced by Roberto for Japanese record label JVC. The same

year he composed the soundtrack for the film “Black”, by French

director P. Maraval, and produced the record “Un montón de cosas”

for the Hip-Hop group Obsesión.

Roberto’s life changed with the start of the 21st century, not only

because he released his third album, “Elengo”, but also because his

career took an unexpected turn. “I went to the EGREM studios to re-

cord Angá Díaz’s album, invited by him, and when I got there I saw

many people who were legends to me …, Rubén González, Cachaíto

López, Guajiro Mirabal…… in two months my whole life changed.”

Shortly afterwards, he was invited to be support pianist to the great

maestro Rubén González, as part of the renowned Orquesta de Ib-

rahim Ferrer and that same year he joined the management com-

pany Montuno. “My God, sharing the stage every night with Rubén

González was a real dream; I’d just stay there, staring at him play

for hours”. A dream that toured all over the world, with over 400

concerts, promoting Ibrahim Ferrer’s records next to great legends

such as Cachaíto López, Guajiro Mirabal and Manuel Galbán, among

others. Playing at the most prestigious venues, such as Frankfurt

Alter Oper (Frankfurt), Palais des Congrès (Paris), Albert Hall (Lon-

don), Beacon Theatre (New York), Sydney Opera House (Australia),

etc. Not a single review of Ibrahim’s concerts, from South America

to Asia, would fail to mention Fonseca’s talent and his magnetic sta-

ge presence. Omara Portuondo, passionate about his style, invited

him to take part in her tours, among them the Tokyo Jazz Festival in

2002, where he shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Michael Bre-

cker and Wayne Shorter: “I couldn’t believe it, when Herbie Hancock

himself called me to play with him, I did not even sleep that night!!”

That period of intense work, touring round the world, led Roberto

to realize that his music was ready for creating his own project. He

dug deep to compose each of the songs that form “Zamazu”, the re-

sult of the integration of all his influences; Afro-Cuban music, jazz,

classical music and traditional Cuban music.

He discovered that his music can create new possibilities: Meeting

fashion designer Agnès B was the start of a relationship of mutual

admiration. Their rapport first emerged when Roberto started wea-

ring her creations for all his performances, and took shape when Ro-

berto played live for the Agnès B fashion show in Paris in July 2006.

In mid 2004 Ibrahim Ferrer decided to carry out a project that would

be the climax of his artistic career, a record and a tour of his treasu-

red boleros, which would celebrate the singer’s love for the genre.

His close relationship with Roberto and the trust he placed in his

musical abilities led to Roberto taking part in the first recordings.

He arranged and co-produced the work in the EGREM studios in

November of that same year, producing over 10 songs in January

2005, as well as assuming the role of director of the world tour “Mi

sueño: A bolero Songbook tour 2005”. Ibrahim Ferrer used to say

“This “muchacho”, despite having a jazz background, gets me and

respects my music, and - boy, can the kid play…!“

After two exciting tours with this project, August 2005 was a time

of great pain for Roberto, with the loss of Ibrahim Ferrer. This be-

came the driving force behind the desire to finish his own album

“Zamazu”, and he did so in 6 months. He invited in Alê Siqueira, one

of Brazil’s major music producers, creator of great projects such as

Tribalistas, Flor de Amor (Omara Portuondo), Infinito Particular (Ma-

risa Monte), etc. He travelled to Bahia for the pre-production stage

at Carlinhos Brown’s studio, and added the finishing touches to all

the collaborations on the album, including Brazilian percussion. At

that moment, a date was fixed for the album’s recording – January

2006 – as well as a place – La Habana.

And so, in barely 5 days in January, Roberto recorded over 2 hours

of music. A creative output reminiscent of the classic jazz sessions.

Several musicians were included in the line-up for this fabulous al-

bum and several collaborations closed the 3-year creative cycle.

Carlinhos Brown, Cachaíto López, Omara Portuondo, Vicente Amigo,

Toninho Ferragutti, and friends such as Javier Zalba, Omar Gonzá-

lez, Ramsés Rodríguez and a further twenty or so musicians were in-

volved. All were witnesses to a Roberto Fonseca seeking to connect

the most sensitive touch on the piano to the melody and forces of

rhythms that amalgamate the principal musical cultures of America,

Brazil and Cuba with those of the African continent. Compositions

of a beauty that touches the sublime, with lyrics of imagination that

inform the aesthetics of the album, a place where virtuosity submits

to emotion.

In 2006 he produced the Japanese singer Asa Feeston’s album and

collaborated as a musician on other albums, such as Timbalada’s la-

test. Together with Nick Gold from the World Circuit record label, he

put the last touches to co-producing what would have been Ibrahim

Ferrer next album, one that he recorded just before passing away.

It was released in 2007 under the name of “Mi Sueño”. This album

was nominated at the Latin Grammy Awards 07 for Best Traditional

Tropical Album.

In the month of July, during the summer festivals in Europe, Roberto

shared the stage with Bebo and Chucho Valdés at Jazz in Marciac

and composed the song “Latin in Marciac” which the Festival used

for the opening and closing of its main concerts.

February 2007 saw the launch of his album “Zamazu” which has

received great reviews worldwide. He has toured and presented Za-

mazu in some of the most prestigious festivals worldwide, such as

Montreal Jazz (Canada) and Umbria Jazz (Italy) amongst others,

and the public was left spellbound by his incredible talent. “Zama-

zu” has been a tremendous success and has shown that Roberto is

a composer who has a unique style and an unmistakeable way of

playing. Columbia Pictures chose the track “Llego Cachaito” from

the “Zamazu” album for the Will Smith film “Hancock”.

2008 has been a year full of work and experiences that have inspi-

red Roberto’s new compositions. Each situation, person and culture

from the countries that he has visited have been a source of ins-

piration. Roberto is very thankful for what he has received and he

dedicates this new album to all the people that welcomed him with

open arms. His new record is called “AKOKAN”, which means heart

in Yoruba. “All the music that I compose is a part of me, and having

to choose has been really difficult…”

With “Akokan” Roberto wants to bring the magic, strength and im-

provisation of a live show to the studio. Accompanied by his band,

the one that he has been playing with for the last 12 years, Roberto

as the record’s producer has encouraged creativity and chemistry

amongst the musicians. In “Akokan” we find a pure Roberto Fonse-

ca. There are also two very special collaborations from artists that

Roberto admires, artists that have very different styles: Mayra An-

drade, the Cape Verdean singer who wrote the words and sings on

‘Siete Potencias’, and Raul Midón, the American singer, wrote ‘Se-

cond Chance’. On this track Roberto did the arrangements and Raul

played also guitar. In comparison to “Zamazu”, on this new album

the piano is the true protagonist with some incredible piano solos

and a different way of playing, one enriched by many experiences

and the desire for us to feel his passion for life and music as the

driving force of each piece.

PRESS REVIEWS:

“A fabulously gifted pianist, composer and bandleader... a gift for

melody that outshines more celebrated peers...one of a new breed

who can transcend musical boundaries through sheer quality.”

The Guardian

“An elegant line and an unhurried feel for time and space. Fonse-

ca is a star.”

The Independent On Sunday

“Sensuous, fresh, modern – Roberto Fonseca brings the piano

dazzlingly to life.”

The Daily Telegraph

“Mesmerising. A joy.”

Straight No Chaser

“A heroic dose of charisma.”

Time Out

español

Nació en 1975 en el seno de una familia de músicos. A la edad de 15

años, Roberto Fonseca fue una revelación en el Festival Internacional

“Jazz Plaza” en La Habana. Después de diplomarse en composición

musical en el Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA), grabó su primer álbum

que recibió el premio del “Mejor Álbum Jazz” en el Festival Cubadisco

en 1999. A principios del siglo XXI, la vida de Roberto da un giro al

convertirse en sucesor de Rubén González en la Orquesta de Ibrahim

Ferrer. Después de participar en más de 400 conciertos con Ferrer

fungió también como arreglista y coproductor del último álbum del

cantante, “Mi Sueño” que fuera nominado para el Grammy en 2007.

Considerado como el “más importante y prometedor talento en la

música cubana”, Roberto ha actuado igualmente al lado de artistas

tales como Omara Portuondo, Bebo y Chucho Valdéz, Herbie Han-

cock, Michael Brecker y Wayne Shorter.

Con la aparición de “Zamazu” (2007) Roberto Fonseca se integra a

las escenas internacionales y es reconocido actualmente como uno

de los músicos más talentosos y carismáticos de los últimos años.

Cualquiera que haya tenido la ocasión de asistir a sus conciertos

con Ibrahim Ferrer ha podido presenciar a la manera única en la

que Roberto toca el piano, combinando la precisión del ritmo con la

emoción intensa. “Zamazu” lo confirma ampliamente, manteniendo

la elogiosa opinión de la prensa como un talento único. The Guardian

lo ha llamado “pianista, compositor y director musical fabulosamen-

te dotado”, “alguien de una nueva estirpe que puede trascender las

fronteras musicales a través de una calidad pura.” The Independent

On Sunday aclamó su “elegante línea y el reposado sentimiento del

tiempo y del espacio. Fonseca es una estrella.”

Roberto ha grabado su Nuevo álbum “Akokan” (término Yoruba para

decir “corazón”) en los estudios Egrem de La Habana, Cuba. Acom-

pañado por los músicos que han trabajado con él durante más de

12 años, expresa la fuerza y la magia de una actuación en vivo,

transformándola en un álbum de estudio. Llevándonos por un viaje

musical a través de diferentes países y culturas, ha invitado a dos

músicos muy especiales que siempre ha admirado: Mayra Andrade,

cantante caboverdiana autora de la letra y cantante de “Siete Po-

tencias” y Raul Midón, cantante estadounidense y guitarrista que

escribió “Everyone Deserves A Second Chance”; para esta pista Ro-

berto compuso los arreglos que Raul cantó e interpretó a la guitarra.

Aunque el piano es el verdadero protagonista de este álbum. Roberto

Fonseca ha indagado profundamente en su instrumento entregándo-

nos un estilo diferente de interpretación, enriquecido a través de to-

das las experiencias de su vida. “Akokan” presenta los sentimientos

más profundos de Roberto alcanzados en algunos solos increíbles y

en una atmósfera pura.

français

Né en 1975 au sein d’une famille de musiciens, Roberto Fonseca a

été, à l’âge de 15 ans, la révélation du festival international « Jazz

Plaza » de la Havane. Après avoir obtenu un diplôme de compositi-

on musicale à l’Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA – Institut supérieur

d’art), il a enregistré son premier album qui a reçu le prix du «

Meilleur Album Jazz » au Festival Cubadisco de 1999. Au début du

21ème siècle, la vie de Roberto a connu un changement lorsqu’il a

été choisi pour succéder à Rubén González dans l’Orquesta (Orchest-

re) d’Ibrahim Ferrer. Après plus de 400 concerts avec Ferrer, il s’est

également chargé de l’arrangement et la co-production du dernier

album du chanteur, « Mi sueño », qui a été nommé aux Grammy

Awards en 2007. Considéré comme « le talent le plus prometteur

et le plus important de la musique cubaine », Roberto a également

accompagné des artistes tels qu’Omara Portuondo, Bebo et Chucho

Valdéz, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker et Wayne Shorter.

La sortie de « Zamazu » (2007) a permis à Roberto Fonseca d’accéder

aux scènes internationales et il est aujourd’hui reconnu comme étant

l’un des musiciens les plus talentueux et charismatiques de ces der-

nières années. Tous ceux qui ont eu la chance d’assister à l’un de ses

concerts avec Ibrahim Ferrer ont été impressionnés par la manière

singulière qu’a Roberto de jouer du piano alliant rythme précis et

émotion intense. « Zamazu » en a apporté la confirmation et la pres-

se a continué de louer un talent unique. Le journal britannique The

Guardian a dit de Roberto qu’il était « un pianiste, compositeur et

chef d’orchestre fabuleusement doué » « un (musicien) d’un nouveau

genre qui est capable de transcender les limites de la musique grâce

à son excellence ». Le journal britannique The Independent On Sun-

day a salué chez Roberto « son élégance et l’impression de paix se

dégageant dans le temps et l’espace. Roberto Fonseca est une star. »

Roberto a enregistré son nouvel album intitulé « Akokan » (qui sig-

nifie « cœur » en dialecte yoruba) au Studio Egrem de La Havane à

Cuba. Accompagné par les musiciens qui travaillent avec lui depuis

plus de 12 ans, il a su extraire la force et la magie d’une interprétati-

on en direct pour la transformer en un album studio. Nous emmenant

avec lui dans un voyage musical à travers des cultures et pays diffé-

rents, il a invité deux musiciens très spéciaux qu’il admire de longue

date : Mayra Andrade, chanteuse du Cap Vert qui a interprété et écrit

les paroles de « Siete Potencias », et Raul Midón, chanteur et gui-

tariste américain qui est l’auteur de « Everyone Deserves A Second

Chance » - pour ce morceau, Roberto a composé les arrangements et

Raul a chanté et joué de la guitare. Le piano reste toutefois le vérita-

ble protagoniste de cet album. Roberto Fonseca est allé chercher au

plus profond de son instrument, nous permettant ainsi d’apprécier

un style différent d’interprétation, une interprétation enrichie par

toutes les expériences de sa vie. « Akokan » exprime les sentiments

les plus profonds de Roberto capturés dans des solos incroyables et

une atmosphère pure.

deutsch

Im Alter von 15 Jahren war Roberto Fonseca bereits die Sensation

beim internationalen “Jazz Plaza”-Festival in Havanna (Kuba). Nach

seinem Abschluss des Kompositionsstudiums am Institutu Superior

de Arte (ISA) nahm der 1975 geborene Pianist dann sein erstes Al-

bum auf, das auf dem Cubadisco Festival von 1999 auch prompt als

„Bestes Jazzalbum“ ausgezeichnet wurde. Mit dem Millennium mach-

te Roberto einen weiteren großen Schritt: Er wurde Rubén Gonzá-

lez’ Vertreter und Nachfolger im Orchester von Ibrahim Ferrer. Nach

mehr als 400 Konzerten mit Ferrer arbeitete Roberto Fonseca – das

„vielversprechendste und wichtigste Talent der kubanischen Musik“—

auch als Arrangeur und Ko-Produzent für Ferrers letztes Album, „Mi

Sueno“, das 2007 für einen Grammy nominiert war. Auch mit Omara

Portuondo, Cachaito, Angá Diaz, Carlinhos Brown, Bebo und Chucho

Valdéz, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter u.v.a. war

Roberto Fonseca schon zu hören.

Mit seinem ersten ENJA-Album „Zamazu“ (2007) erreichte Rober-

to Fonseca die internationalen Bühnen, wo er als einer der ein-

drucksvollsten, charismatischsten Musiker der letzten Jahre gefei-

ert wird. Alle, die ihn mit Ibrahim Ferrer im Konzert erlebt haben,

waren bereits von Robertos einzigartiger Klavierkunst beeindruckt

– einer Kombination aus präziser Rhythmik und intensiver Emoti-

on. Das Album „Zamazu“ hat diesen Eindruck gefestigt, die Presse

jubelte noch lauter. „Es handelt sich schlicht um ein Meisterwerk“,

schrieb die Jazzthetik, „eine Platte, die ohne Übertreibung als eine

der schönsten bezeichnet werden kann, die die kubanische Musik bis

heute hervorgebracht hat.“ Die Süddeutsche Zeitung erkannte „die

Handschrift eines kommenden Weltstars“, das Diners Club Magazin

witterte bereits „eine neue Legende der kubanischen Musik“, „ein

Talent der Extraklasse“.

Sein neues Album „Akokan“ (Yoruba für „Herz“) entstand im legen-

dären Egrem-Studio in Havanna (Kuba). Begleitet von jenen Musi-

kern, die seit mehr als 12 Jahren mit ihm arbeiten, gelingt es Rober-

to Fonseca hier, die Kraft und Magie einer Live-Performance in ein

Studioalbum zu packen. Zu seiner Albumreise durch verschiedene

Länder und Kulturen hat er auch zwei ganz besondere Musiker ein-

geladen, die er seit langem bewundert: Mayra Andrade, die kapver-

dische Sängerin, die auf „Siete Potencias“ den kreolischen Text sang

und schrieb, und den blinden Amerikaner Raul Midón, der „Everyone

Deserves A Second Chance“ geschrieben hat – Roberto hat es ar-

rangiert, Raul singt und spielt Gitarre. Doch der eigentliche Haupt-

darsteller auf dem Album ist das Klavier: Roberto Fonseca ist tief in

sein Instrument getaucht und erfreut uns mit seiner besonderen,

von Lebenserfahrungen gesättigten Spielweise. „Akokan“ eröffnet

uns einen Blick ins Innere seines Herzens – eingefangen in einigen

unglaublichen Soli und einer prickelnden Atmosphäre.

also available:

Roberto Fonseca;Sheet Music:

ENJ-9499;Roberto Fonseca

„ZAMAZU“:

MAYRA ANDRADEvocals

RAUL MIDÓNvocal & guitar

TOURDATES:

20.05. F – Paris, Comedy Club

21.05. UK – London, ICA

23.05. F – Coutances, Jazz Sous Les Pommiers

03.07. D – Ludwigsburg, Schlossfestspiele

04.07. F – Oloron Ste-Marie, Jazz à Oloron

07.07. B – Mons, Festival

08.07. DK – Copenhagen, Jazz Festival

12.07. UK – Harrogate, International Festival

29.07. D – Kassel, Kulturzelt

30.07. D – Schloss Vollrads, Rheingau-Festival,

Seebühne

02.08. D – Karlsruhe, Zeltival

13.08. F – Marciac, Festival

16.08. F – Chedigny, Blues in Chedigny

23.10. A – Wien, Konzerthaus

24.10. H – Budapest, Palace of Arts

25.10. D – München, Prinzregententheater

26.10. CH – Basel, Stadtcasino

27.10. D – Darmstadt, Centralstation

30.10. SF – Tampere, Old Customs Hall

01.11. D – Berlin, Kesselhaus

02.11. D – Hamburg, Fabrik

05.11. CH – Genève, Bâtiment des Forces Motrices

06.11. F – Conflans St. Honorine, Bâtiment des

Forces Motrices

07.11. B – Turnhout, De Warande

08.11. D – Leverkusen, Fabrik

10.11. D – Bremen, Glocke

20.11. F – Saintes, Teatre Gallica

21.11. F – Conilhac, Jazz en Terre d’Aude

More to be confirmed.

ENJA RECORDS M. Winckelmann GmbH

Frundsbergstr. 15

80634 München

GERMANY

www.enjarecords.comwww.myspace.com/enjarecordswwwww.enjamusic.compromo@enjarecords.com

Worldwide booking and touring:

Montuno Producciones

C / Rosellon 248 50 - 2a

08008 Barcelona

SPAIN

www.montuno.com

info@montuninfo@montuno.com

NEW ALBUM

ROBERTO FONSECA “AKOKAN” ENJ-9534

RELEASE DATE: MAY 29th

2009

“A new legend in Cuban music” – Diners Club Magazine

ROBERTO FONSECA piano, voice

JAVIER ZALBA flute, clarinet, baritone sax

OMAR GONZÁLEZ OMAR GONZÁLEZ bass

RAMSÉS RODRIGUEZ drums

JOEL HIERREZUELO percussion

Guests:MAYRA ANDRADE vocal

RAUL MIDÓN vocal & guitar

Produced by Roberto Fonseca, co-producer Matthias Winckelmannco-producer Matthias Winckelmann

“Akokan” was recorded at the end of 2008 in the Egrem Studio in Havana, Cuba. Roberto was accompanied by the musicians that have worked with him for more than 12 years. The repertoire for this new work is a selection of his own compositions, inspired by all the expe-riences, situations and people that have influenced Roberto’s l i fe.

On “Akokan” Roberto has taken the strength and magic of a l ive performance and trans-formed it into a studio album. He has delved deep into his piano for this record letting us enjoy a different style of playing. “Akokan” shows us Roberto’s true heart reflected in some incredible solos and a pure atmosphere.

For this occasion, Roberto invited two very special musicians that he has long admired: Mayra Andrade, the Cape Verdean singer who sung and wrote the lyrics to “Siete Potencias”, and Raúl Midón, the American guitarist who wrote “Everyone Deserves a Second Chance”.