Tiempo LIbre to perform at Pepperdine University

The members of the Miami-based Cuban music group, Tiempo Libre, were all classically trained in Cuba’s premiere conservatories at a time when it was illegal to listen to American songs on the radio. Now they are a sensation in the U.S., with concerts all around the country and two consecutive Grammy nominations.

They will perform on Friday, January 9th, at 8:00 PM, at Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling 310-506-4522 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Their show is a dynamic, high-voltage and passionate performance of timba music – an exciting and engaging combination of Latin jazz and traditional Cuban son. Their goal is to serve as ambassadors to Cuba’s musical heritage, while celebrating the American experience. There hasn’t been a concert yet where people haven’t gotten out of their seats to dance.

They also have a new Latin music album coming out, which draws inspiration from the music of Bach, and is slated for release in May 2009 from Sony which will feature guest tracks with Yosvany Terry and Paquito D'Rivera. One might ask: why Bach - apparently so far away both musically and geographically from Cuba? The answer is both simple and complex. The music of Bach has been an inspiration to the members of Tiempo Libre since their early school days studying at La ENA, Havana’s premiere classical conservatory.

So it was only natural that they would be interested in weaving their classical roots into a new musical tapestry. Among many other keyboard works, both Bach’s C Major and C Minor Preludes & Fugues from the 1st book of the Well-Tempered Clavier make appearances on the album, the C Major opening onto a sonic world of the interplay of Batá (African percussion); the C Minor propelling an intense ride over the rhythms of guaguanco, a Latin youthful courtship dance.