Composer-pianist -Multi-instrumentalist- bandleader Omar Sosa was born in 1965 in Camagüey, Cuba's largest inland city. At age eight, Omar began studying percussion and marimba at the music conservatory in Camagüey; in Havana, as a teenager, he took up piano at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Música, and completed his formal education at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana. Among his influences, Omar cites traditional Afro-Cuban music, European classical composers (including Chopin, Bartok, and Satie), Monk, Coltrane, Parker, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Chucho Valdés, and the pioneering Cuban jazz group Irakere. Moving in 1993 to Ecuador, Omar immersed himself in the folkloric traditions of Esmeraldas, the northwest coast region whose African heritage includes the distinctive marimba tradition. He relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1995, and soon invigorated the Latin jazz scene with his adventurous writing and percussive style.
In 2012 he released Alma in collaboration with Italian trumpet and flugelhorn player, Paolo Fresu. The CD features guest cello contributions on four tracks by the masterful Brazilian conductor, arranger, producer, and cellist, Jaques Morelenbaum. The compositions are written by Omar Sosa and Paolo Fresu, except for "Under African Skies", a gentle version of the popular track from the Paul Simon CD Graceland.
In 2013 Sosa published EGGUN: The Afri-Lectric Experience. The project began as a commission from the Barcelona Jazz Festival in 2009. The assignment was to compose and produce a tribute performance to Miles Davis’ classic recording Kind Of Blue, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Inspired by various musical elements and motifs from Kind Of Blue, Sosa wrote a suite of music honoring the spirit of freedom in Davis’ seminal work. The CD received a nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 56th annual Grammy Awards.
In 2015, Sosa goes back to his Cuban roots with the release of Ilé. Joining him on the project are three musicians with whom Omar shares a close connection: fellow Camagüeyanos, Ernesto Simpson on drums, and Leandro Saint-Hill on alto saxophone, flute and clarinet, and Mozambican electric bassist Childo Tomas – collectively known as Quarteto AfroCubano.
OMAR SOSA INTERVIEW FOR JAZZONLINE.GR
Omar Sosa Awards :
2002 Latin GRAMMY Nomination, Best Latin Jazz Album, Sentir (OTA1009)
2002 GRAMMY Nomination, Best Latin Jazz Album, Sentir (OTA1009)
2002 Afro-Caribbean Jazz Album of the Year Award, Sentir (OTA1009) Jazz Journalists Association (New York, NY)
2003 Lifetime Achievement Award Smithsonian Associates (Washington, DC)
2004 BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music Nomination, Sentir (OTA1009)
2005 Latin Jazz Album of the Year Nomination, Mulatos (OTA1014) Jazz Journalists Association (New York, NY)
2005 GRAMMY Nomination, Best Latin Jazz Album, Mulatos (OTA1014)
2006 BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music Nomination, Mulatos (OTA1014)
2009 Latin GRAMMY Nomination, Best Instrumental Album, Across The Divide (HN4538)
2009 GRAMMY Nomination, Best Contemporary World Music Album, Across The Divide (HN4538)
2011 ECHO Jazz Award (Germany), Big Band Album of the Year, Ceremony (OTA1021)
2011 Latin GRAMMY Nomination, Best Instrumental Album, Calma (OTA1022)
Omar Sosa Quarteto AfroCubano, featuring Ernesto Simpson, drums - Childo Tomas, electric bass - Leandro Saint-Hill, saxophones, flute - on December 12, 2015 at Gazarte Voutadon 32 - Gazi - live start at 21:00 - 210 3460347
