Lucas van Merwijk's Cubop City Big Band with CD "Star EWF Latino" honors to Earth, Wind and Fire!

"Lucas van Merwijk With His CCBB was not only a great idea, to honor the 

legendary and appreciated Earth Wind and Fire, but had a 

happy outcome" Luis Raul Montell-Jazz Caribe

The CD:

*Star EWF Latino: Latin Big Band Versions of the music of Earth, Wind and Fire

Lucas van Merwijk’s Cubop City Big Band

Tracks:

1.  1. Star; 2. Sing a Song; 3. In the Stone; 4. September; 5. Get Away; 6. Boogie Wonderland; 7. Saturday Nite; 8. Let’s Groove Tonight; 9. Can’t Hide Love; 10. Fantasy

The Musicians:

Lucas van Merwijk (drums, timbales, percussion); Juan ‘Bulu’ Viloria (congas); Marco Toro (bongo, percussion); Marc Bischoff (piano, ky); Samuel Ruiz Aleman (baby bass, electric bass); Charlie Biggs, Loe van der Lee; Florian Sperzel, Joe Rivera (trumpet); David Rothschild, Ilja Reijngoud, Frans Cornelissen (trombone); Martin van den Berg (bass trombone); Miguel Boelens, Floriaan Wempe (alto saxophone); Jasper Blom (tenor saxophone); Wouter Schueler (tenor saxophone, flute); Gerrit Jan Binkhorst (baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, flute); Rolf Delfos (alto saxophone 2, 4); Yma America, Alberto Caicedo (vocals, coro)

Lucas van Merwijk has accustomed us to great proposals, its upstroke is a product of consistent work, studies and scenarios, where marks his remarkable ability and talent.

He has achieved something that is sometimes difficult: hold together his Cubop City Big Band. Of course in more of twenty (20) years, are not all who started this melodious journey, but if some people have range in successful years living the extraordinary band whose poster presentation sauce and latin jazz.

Earth, Wind & Fire is certainly one of the groups most successful jazz rock in the world, and in Latin America most significant number of supporters for their appropriate inclusion of Caribbean rhythms.

In this production "* Star EWF Latino: Latin Big Band Versions of the music of Earth, Wind & Fire", the hits of the legendary group are moved with wise arrangements to salsa and Latin Jazz, in Spanish (translation by America, Caicedo and Andrea Canta).

The genius of consummate composer, arranger and pianist Oscar Hernandez, in this recording as an arranger, stands on three themes (In the Stone, Can not Hide Love and Fantasy); Also arrangements of pianist Marc Bischoff, faithful collaborator of van Merwijk; and trombonist Ilja valuable Reijngoud.

The rhythm section achieves the objective of van Merwijk underpinned by the same and the Venezuelan percussionists Juan 'Bulu' Viloria and Marco Toro, as well as Bischoff and bassist Ruiz Aleman. But as always Cube City Big Band performs its teamwork.

Lucas van Merwijk Notes:

Lucas van Merwijk born in De Bilt, The Netherlands, 1961.

Ever since he was a kid, drummer Lucas van Merwijk, born in 1961, has  beenunder the spell of drums.

He was elected 'Best Jazz drummer' in the Benelux countries by the readers of "De Slagwerkkrant" (a professional Dutch Drum magazine) for six years running (1993-1999). Furthermore, he was elected best Fusion drummer in the Benelux in1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2005.

After an intensive study of Afro-Cuban drums with drummer Oscarito Valdes(Irakere) in Cuba, Lucas van Merwijk is now very actively involved with various groups and artists throughout Europe, and in particular with the internationallyacclaimed group Nueva Manteca.

 At the moment Lucas is the bandleader of four groups: His Music Machine (with changing line-up every year), Drumix! with Aly N'Diaye Rose, the worldpercussion ensemble Drums United and the 20 piece Cubop City Big Band.

Apart from that, he has appeared in a lot of television and radio shows and can be heard on many CDs. As a percussionist he has collaborated with many bands, on recordings and productions.

All of these experiences have made him develop his own special style, a mix of Cuban, Brazilian and North American rhythms, characterized by  powerfulpercussion and splendid technical skills.

Lucas has been staff teacher for drums and percussion at both the World Music department of the Rotterdam CODARTS conservatory as well as the Jazz department of the Amsterdam Conservatory since 1986.

Lucas recorded or has performed in concerts and festivals: Nicky Marrero, Eddie Martinez, Claudio Roditi, Chocolate Armenteros, Bobby Sanabria, Luis Conte, Armando Peraza, Orestes Vilato, Ralph Irizarry, The Mambo Kings among others.

His productions are spectacular, we can say Que Sensacion!, monopolizes the attention of all criticism.

And has toured the world with their bands ... presentations at festivals and concerts are a sensation!

In our programs you hear and enjoy the music of Lucas van Merwijk and a short video now see something that Lucas offers with its CCBB:

¡¡Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.lucasvanmerwijk.com             www.tamtamproductions.com

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