A very interesting project took place this past year between two important organizations. A musical collaboration was established between Kosa Music, (a music organization based in Montreal, Quebec, under the direction of the internationally recognized percussionist, Aldo Mazza) and La Fiesta del Tambor (an internationally recognized music festival in Havana, Cuba under the direction of Cuba’s great international drummer and composer: Giraldo Piloto).
Canada has had a long history and presence in Cuba. For years, people travelled to Cuba for not only the music, but naturally also for the beautiful beaches, the architecture, the history and the culture. This year, Kosa Music under the stewardship of Canadian well known percussionist Aldo Mazza from Montreal, created a musical collaboration between Quebec and Cuba. The foundation was laid for a mechanism whereby the Fiesta del Tambor- which is now one of the most important festivals in Cuba -would invite artists from Quebec to perform in Havana and Kosa Music would invite Cuban artists to perform in Montreal.
Very pleased to receive this invitation as a Quebec Artist to perform in Havana, Aldo Mazza, performed some solo drum and percussion works along with other musicians at the festival. Following the performance, Aldo was given a special prize and recognition by Giraldo Piloto and the Festival for all his work in the past years helping Cuban musicians and the festival grow to the international recognition it now enjoys.
On the other end, Kosa Music invited Cuban artists Freddy Martinez as well as members of Clave Y GuaGuanco to perform at the KoSA Festival and Camp in Montreal.
Participants were treated to workshops in traditional Cuban Rumba and the special traditional rhythms of this important and complex music. During the week, participants were also treated to some high level intensive performances by the Cuban artists. Clave Y GuaGuanco also performed a special work created between Aldo Mazza and the group where they mixed elements of traditional Rumba with elements of traditional rhythms of Calabria (Southern Italy- Aldo Mazza’s roots)
Support for this collaboration graciously came from Kosa Music and Les Affaires Internationale de Quebec. These events were very well received and plans are now well under way for more future collaborations and continuing to build cultural bridges. Please find below pictures of the two successful events both in Montreal, Quebec and in Havana, Cuba.