Cuba is one of the most creative places on the planet, gifting the world with an occasional superstar from its musical homeland. Today, that gift is singer/composer Daymé Arocena, whose commanding presence and well-crafted compositions reveal a talent well beyond her years.
With exceptional warmth and a powerful presence to augment her virtuosity, Arocena is one of the “most inviting ambassadors” for Cuba’s contemporary music. Santerian chant, rhythmic complexity, fluid jazz styling and a nuanced Afro-Cuban soulfulness – Daymé channels all these elements in service to her audience and culture.
The New York Times raves that “Ms. Arocena unites cosmopolitan musicianship with deep roots,” and Billboard adds that “while US and Cuban politicians currently struggle to find common ground, Arocena’s big voice finds harmony in the two countries’ shared musical history.”
Arocena’s talent was recognized by the Havana Cultura Mix project, where DJ and tastemaker Gilles Peterson mentored selected producers from around the world to record in Cuba with local musicians. As a result of that experience, Arocena released her third album, One Takes, on Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings label. The release features Horace Silver’s “Gods of Yoruba” among a collection of masterfully reimagined covers that further bridge her musical worlds.
With exceptional warmth and a powerful presence to augment her virtuosity, Arocena is one of the “most inviting ambassadors” for Cuba’s contemporary music. Santerian chant, rhythmic complexity, fluid jazz styling and a nuanced Afro-Cuban soulfulness – Daymé channels all these elements in service to her audience and culture.
The New York Times raves that “Ms. Arocena unites cosmopolitan musicianship with deep roots,” and Billboard adds that “while US and Cuban politicians currently struggle to find common ground, Arocena’s big voice finds harmony in the two countries’ shared musical history.”
Arocena’s talent was recognized by the Havana Cultura Mix project, where DJ and tastemaker Gilles Peterson mentored selected producers from around the world to record in Cuba with local musicians. As a result of that experience, Arocena released her third album, One Takes, on Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings label. The release features Horace Silver’s “Gods of Yoruba” among a collection of masterfully reimagined covers that further bridge her musical worlds.
