Mi Mundo introduces a shining new star on the world music
firmament. This is the solo debut of Brenda Navarrete, a Cuban-based singer,
songwriter, percussionist and bandleader of rare skill and musical originality.
She has
previously made an impact singing in the internationally-acclaimed Cuban group
Interactivo, performing at clubs and festivals in the U.S. and Canada, but she
now takes a giant creative leap forward with Mi Mundo. Set for worldwide
release on ALMA Records 2-16-18, the album was recorded in Havana with producer
Peter Cardinali (ALMA’s founder), award-winning engineer John “Beetle” Bailey,
and an all-star cast of Cuban instrumentalists.
“Being able
to record Mi Mundo in Havana is a dream come true,” Brenda explains. “Havana is
where I was born. Cuba is my country, my homeland, and having the opportunity
to record here with musicians who know me and who understand my musical style
is amazing. The energy of Cuba and Havana is very important to me, and I think
that we have captured that force on this album”.
The
stylistically eclectic album features a variety of group settings, with the
primary instruments consisting of drums, piano, electric bass and percussion,
including batá and congas played by Navarrete. Renowned special guests include
Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, Rodney Barreto and Jose Carlos on drums, Roberto
Carcasses, Rolando Luna and Leonardo Ledesman on piano, Alain Perez on bass (he
also arranged several of the songs and wrote “Taita Bilongo”), Adonis Panter on
quinto and Eduardo Sandoval on trombone.
Brenda’s
initial musical reputation centered on her ability as a percussionist, on batá,
but it is her warm and fluent voice and songwriting ability that take centre
stage on Mi Mundo. Four of her original compositions appear on Mi Mundo,
including “A Ochun.” “That song is very special to me,” says Brenda. “It was my
first composition and one of my first recordings. Ochun is the goddess of love
and it’s a song that I wrote while sitting on the bank of a river, where Ochun
is said to live. Most of the song came out that first day and I finished the
arrangement at home and dedicated it to her when it was recorded.
A genuine
highlight on an album devoid of lowlights, “A Ochun” is a dynamic and
delightful treat that begins with percussion and call and response vocals,
which then fade away in favour of gentle piano and flute stylings.
Navarrete
describes Mi Mundo as “a World Music record, with an Afro-Cuban flavour. I
chose that title because this is a reflection of my musical world. I have a
tremendous range of influences, having grown up in a very musical environment.
“When I was
a little girl, my sister and I loved to listen to jazz greats like Sarah
Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. I also gravitated to artists like
Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Bobby McFerrin, Miles Davis, Yellow Jackets and
Cassandra Wilson, but also BoyzII Men and Take 6. My home environment also
featured music from great Cuban artists like Cecilia Cruz, Benny More and
Celeste Mendoza.
“All those
artists and musical styles have contributed to my musical growth since I was a
child. All of that energy and the different rhythms, colours and styles of
Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz and World Music have inspired me as a composer. I adore
Cuban music, and mixing all of those styles together with traditional Cuban
music is powerful and exhilarating.”
An example
of this original and compelling fusion is “Caravana,” Brenda’s distinctive take
on the Duke Ellington classic “Caravan.” “Rumbero Como Yo” is full and
powerful, featuring six musicians imparting an intoxicating rumba feel, while
“Taita Bilongo” is an infectiously rhythmic number boosted by trumpet and a
guest male vocal appearance by the song’s composer, Alain Perez. Another
sparkling gem on Mi Mundo is “Anana Oye.” Featuring bubbling bass, rollicking
piano, breezy flute, and strong backing vocals and percussion, its seductive
melody will transport you to a warm and carefree place.
Navarrete’s
formal musical education included studying percussion at the Amadeo Roldán
Music Conservatory in Havana. “I was trained in symphonic and Cuban percussion
on a variety of instruments, as well as piano,” she recalls. “I also studied
the history of universal music, Cuban music and music theory, but learning batá
was more of a street classroom experience along the way. As for singing, it was
very spontaneous, without any formal training. I just sang what I felt, without
ever really wondering whether it was good or bad. It was just what I felt.”
Her skill as
a percussionist was confirmed in 2010 when Brenda won the Bata drum competition
at the Fiesta del Tambor in Havana, and she was subsequently endorsed by Canadian
cymbal-maker, Sabian, as well as the Gon Bops percussion company. She has
played on the recordings of many notable Cuban artists, and Brenda recently
guested on batá and vocals on Contumbao, the upcoming album from Cuban-Canadian
pianist/composer Hilario Duran.
Brenda
Navarrete’s focus is now firmly set on Mi Mundo. This beautiful expression of
her musical universe is now going out into the world, and it deserves your
close attention.
introduces a
shining new star on the world music firmament. This is the solo debut of Brenda
Navarrete, a Cuban-based singer, songwriter, percussionist and bandleader of
rare skill and musical originality.
She has
previously made an impact singing in the internationally-acclaimed Cuban group
Interactivo, performing at clubs and festivals in the U.S. and Canada, but she
now takes a giant creative leap forward with Mi Mundo. Set for worldwide
release on ALMA Records in January/18, the album was recorded in Havana with
producer Peter Cardinali (ALMA’s founder), award-winning engineer John “Beetle”
Bailey, and an all-star cast of Cuban instrumentalists.
“Being able
to record Mi Mundo in Havana is a dream come true,” Brenda explains. “Havana is
where I was born. Cuba is my country, my homeland, and having the opportunity
to record here with musicians who know me and who understand my musical style
is amazing. The energy of Cuba and Havana is very important to me, and I think
that we have captured that force on this album”.
The
stylistically eclectic album features a variety of group settings, with the
primary instruments consisting of drums, piano, electric bass and percussion,
including batá and congas played by Navarrete. Renowned special guests include
Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, Rodney Barreto and Jose Carlos on drums, Roberto
Carcasses, Rolando Luna and Leonardo Ledesman on piano, Alain Perez on bass (he
also arranged several of the songs and wrote “Taita Bilongo”), Adonis Panter on
quinto and Eduardo Sandoval on trombone.
Brenda’s
initial musical reputation centered on her ability as a percussionist, on batá,
but it is her warm and fluent voice and songwriting ability that take centre
stage on Mi Mundo. Four of her original compositions appear on Mi Mundo,
including “A Ochun.” “That song is very special to me,” says Brenda. “It was my
first composition and one of my first recordings. Ochun is the goddess of love
and it’s a song that I wrote while sitting on the bank of a river, where Ochun
is said to live. Most of the song came out that first day and I finished the arrangement
at home and dedicated it to her when it was recorded.
A genuine
highlight on an album devoid of lowlights, “A Ochun” is a dynamic and
delightful treat that begins with percussion and call and response vocals,
which then fade away in favour of gentle piano and flute stylings.
Navarrete
describes Mi Mundo as “a World Music record, with an Afro-Cuban flavour. I
chose that title because this is a reflection of my musical world. I have a
tremendous range of influences, having grown up in a very musical environment.
“When I was
a little girl, my sister and I loved to listen to jazz greats like Sarah
Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. I also gravitated to artists like
Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Bobby McFerrin, Miles Davis, Yellow Jackets and
Cassandra Wilson, but also BoyzII Men and Take 6. My home environment also
featured music from great Cuban artists like Cecilia Cruz, Benny More and
Celeste Mendoza.
“All those
artists and musical styles have contributed to my musical growth since I was a
child. All of that energy and the different rhythms, colours and styles of
Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz and World Music have inspired me as a composer. I adore
Cuban music, and mixing all of those styles together with traditional Cuban
music is powerful and exhilarating.”
An example
of this original and compelling fusion is “Caravana,” Brenda’s distinctive take
on the Duke Ellington classic “Caravan.” “Rumbero Como Yo” is full and
powerful, featuring six musicians imparting an intoxicating rumba feel, while
“Taita Bilongo” is an infectiously rhythmic number boosted by trumpet and a
guest male vocal appearance by the song’s composer, Alain Perez. Another
sparkling gem on Mi Mundo is “Anana Oye.” Featuring bubbling bass, rollicking
piano, breezy flute, and strong backing vocals and percussion, its seductive
melody will transport you to a warm and carefree place.
Navarrete’s
formal musical education included studying percussion at the Amadeo Roldán
Music Conservatory in Havana. “I was trained in symphonic and Cuban percussion
on a variety of instruments, as well as piano,” she recalls. “I also studied
the history of universal music, Cuban music and music theory, but learning batá
was more of a street classroom experience along the way. As for singing, it was
very spontaneous, without any formal training. I just sang what I felt, without
ever really wondering whether it was good or bad. It was just what I felt.”
Her skill as
a percussionist was confirmed in 2010 when Brenda won the Bata drum competition
at the Fiesta del Tambor in Havana, and she was subsequently endorsed by
Canadian cymbal-maker, Sabian, as well as the Gon Bops percussion company. She
has played on the recordings of many notable Cuban artists, and Brenda recently
guested on batá and vocals on Contumbao, the upcoming album from Cuban-Canadian
pianist/composer Hilario Duran.
Brenda
Navarrete’s focus is now firmly set on Mi Mundo. This beautiful expression of
her musical universe is now going out into the world, and it deserves your
close attention.
