Pianist/composer Omar Sosa was born, raised and completed his musical education in his native Cuba. But he’s collected influences from all over the world to create something larger than one small island could contain.
Moving to Ecuador in his 20s, he started to explore other Latin American folk traditions, which led him to African influences. Since then, he’s worked with musicians from around the world and received six Grammy nominations. In 2009, he was commissioned by the Barcelona Jazz Festival to compose a tribute to Miles Davis’ landmark 1959 recording Kind of Blue, in honor of its 50th anniversary.
That led to the recording EGGUN: The Afri-Lectric Experience, released early this year. It celebrates but doesn’t duplicate Davis’ music. Instead, it amplifies the themes and spirit Sosa found in Davis’ music, emphasizing those African influences and incorporating electronic elements.
He’ll be playing his first-ever Cleveland show at Nighttown with his Afri-Lectric sextet who were featured on the recording. The ensemble pulls together musicians from Cuba, the U.S., Germany, and Mozambique, a reflection of Sosa’s wide musical horizon.
Tickets are $20.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44106