XIOMARA LAUGART

Bio:

.... Myspace Backgrounds Those who have entered Cuba through Jose Marti International Airport in Havana will know that upon arrival, they are greeted by beautiful video images of Old Havana on TV screens and the sultry voice of Xiomara Laugart singing “Hoy mi Habana viste lo mejor…”. And it is no coincidence because Xiomara Laugart is: “The Voice of Cuba”. She has been representing her country and her people, performing at venues around the globe for years and along the biggest talents all over. She is a living legend in her native Cuba where she has recorded more than 15 albums. For many years, Xiomara Laugart La Negra as she is popularly known, was Muse to the Nueva Trova artists and recorded and shared stages with the likes of Pablo Milanes, Silvio Rodriguez, Raul Torres, etc. Xiomara is both the essence of the old Cuba, with its rhythmic folk songs, fused with a blend of today’s directness and clarity of voice, which is eventually matched with her deep laugh. It is that distinctive laugh that will soon captivate audiences from all walks of life with her swing style in all of her Cuban splendor. Obviously, we are not in presence of a common manufactured phenomenon. This singer has a peculiar mystery to reveal, not only her vocal virtues, and flexibility, but a special sound, fluently “liquid” and garrulous. Her range is such that the jazz influences seem to be a natural extension of her repertoire. She takes on each style of music and embraces it with her own stamp and authentic flare. Ms. Laugart recently released her worldwide debut album for Chesky Records, a lavish and sophisticated collection of old and new songs written by Meme Solís and Andrés Levin, Descemer Bueno and with arrangements by Octavio Kotan and Axel Tosca. Until recently, Ms. Laugart has been the leading vocalist in Yerba Buena, a New York collective with a brilliant mix of rhythms to which she added her African and Caribbean legacy. She has recorded and/or performed along names such as: Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Albita, Omara Portuondo, Jacky Terrasson, Omar Sosa, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Dave Valentin, Isaac Delgado, Carlinhos Brown, Arto Lindsay, Roy Hargrove, Ron Blake, Kip Hanrahan, MeShell Ndegeocello, Femi Kuti, D’Angelo, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Ana Torroja, Meme Solis, Many Oquendo & Libre, Fun Loving Criminals and Busta Rhymes, among many others, Her monthly showcases at New York City’s famed Zinc Bar have been called legendary. She has flooded the stage with her powerful voice around the entire world. Ms. Laugart appears in the film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and also appears in the German/Cuban film Paraíso Bajo las Estrellas. ************************************************************** Xiomara has now embarked on the enormous responsibility of representing, perhaps, one of the most important figures in Latin culture, Celia Cruz, the Queen of Latin Music, in the first ever theatre production based on the legendary late Cuban artist. CELIA: The Life & Music of Celia Cruz, raised its curtain on September 26, 2007 at New World Stages on Broadway, with a massive successful response on behalf of audience and critics, who fill the theater every day enjoying and remembering the late Queen of La Guaracha, through the amazing portrayal and incomparable voice of Xiomara Laugart. ************************************************************** Critics say: "Xiomara Laugart’s powerful interpretation in the starring role fills the stage and the potency of her voice...convinces in every one of her appearances" MFedez Soberon, El Nuevo Dia "They did a great job. A tribute like Celia Cruz deserved." Eddie Palmieri "It brought me great memories and Xiomara was divine." Johnny Pacheco "In each stage entrance she is applauded by the fans of the "Queen of Salsa," for her masterful interpretations." Ruth Hernandez, EFE Agency “Salsa Queen Still Rules...Laugart is a powerhouse..." Joe Dzeimianowicz New York Daily News Oct. 2, 2007 “Now it’s Celia Cruz’s time to be immortalized…the humanity of Cruz and Knight come through with tasteful sentimentality.” Ed Morales, Newsday October 7, 2007 “Terrific renditions of some two dozen Cruz hits…the accompanying seven-piece band-led by Isidro Infante- who worked with the real Cruz-really sizzles.” Frank Scheck, New York Post October 5, 2007 “In a revelatory stage performance Laugart demonstrated she was the right choice for this coveted role and Off-Broadway has a new Hispanic star.” Norma Niurka, El Nuevo Herlad October 5, 2007 More quotes: “Xiomara’s melodious voice resounds in high register and she shows a vivid, exceptional sense of rhythm.” “Xiomara’s seductive style left its indelible mark on Cuba for a decade, leaving behind scores of fans in her wake. ”“Xiomara, La negra as this young singer is affectionately called by her legion of followers, manages to sing every style from her homeland with ease, from bolero to salsa to danzon to guaracha to funky dance tunes.” “She has a unique blend of rawness, and her voice possesses a liquid quality rarely found in singers today.”

Member Since:

February 24, 2007

Members:

Aquellos que han entrado a Cuba por el Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí de la Habana sabrán que al llegar a la terminal, son recibidos por un video con imágenes de la Vieja Habana y la hermosa voz de Xiomara Laugart que les canta por la megafonía: “Hoy mi Habana Viste lo mejor..” Y no es casualidad pues Xiomara es “La Voz de Cuba”. Ha representado a su tierra y a su gente cantado en infinidades de teatros, clubes y festivales alrededor del mundo durante años y junto a grandes talentos internacionales. Xiomara es al mismo tiempo, la esencia de la vieja Cuba, con sus ritmos y canciones tradicionales, mezclados con la sofisticación y claridad de su voz hoy día, solo igualables a su poderosa y profunda risa. Es esa alegría y risa contagiosa la que ha cautivado a publicos por donde se presente. Evidentemente, no estamos ante la presencia de un fenómeno común o producto prefabricado. La cantante tiene un peculiar misterio que revelar, no solamente a través de sus virtudes vocales y registros, sino un sonido muy especial, liquido y sedoso. Su registro es tal que tantas influencias del jazz forman una extensión natural en su repertorio. Xiomara toma cada estilo y lo abraza con su propio sello de autenticidad. Una de las principales voces de la Trova Cubana y el Nuevo Feeling, con más de 15 discos a sus espaldas y un sin fin de colaboraciones, Xiomara Laugart La Negra como es popularmente conocida, comenzó su carrera de la mano de Pablo Milanés, Silvio Rodriguez y raúl Torres, etre otros. Xiomara Laugart acaba de lanzar su debut discográfico internacional a través del prestigioso sello neoyorquino Chesky Records. El disco presenta una sofisticada colección de viejos y nuevos temas con composiciones originales de Meme Solís, Andrés Levin, Descemer Bueno, y arreglos de Octavio Kotán y Axel Tosca. Hasta hace poco, Xiomara fue la voz principal del colectivo neoyorquino Yerba Buena. Ha colaborado y/o compartido escenarios con: Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Omara Portuondo, Jacky Terrasson, Omar Sosa, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Andy Gonzalez, Dave Valentin, Pablo Milanés, Overproof, NG La Banda, Amaury Perez, Miriam Ramos, Isaac Delgado, Juan de Marco y su Orquesta Sierra Maestra, Ron Blake, Roy hargrove, Kip Hanrahan, Carlinhos Brown, Arto Lidnsay, MeShell Ndegeocello, Femi Kuti, D’Angelo, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Ana Torroja, Meme Solis, Many Oquendo & Libre, Fun Loving Criminals y Busta Rhymes entre otros. Ha participado en la película norteamericana Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. También participa en la coproducción Alemana/cubana Paraíso Bajo las Estrellas. Sus galas mensuales en el mítico Zinc Bar de Nueva York han sido tildadas por la prensa y aficionados como “Legendarias”. ************************************************************* Xiomara ahora se embarca en la enorme responsabilidad de representar, quizás, a una de las fiiguras más importante de la cultura latina, Celia Cruz, la reina de la Salsa, en la primera y nueva producción teatral sobre esta mítica figura. CELIA: La Vida & Música de Celia Cruz, subió el telón el 26 de septiembre en el New World Stages en Broadway, con una respuesta masiva de crítica y público que abarrota el teatro todas las noches y disfruta recordando a La Reina de la Guaracha, a través de la voz y la excelente actuación de Xiomara Laugart. Los críticos dicen: “Laugart mostró una presencia escénica reveladora de que es la mejor interprete possible para el codiciado papel y de que ha nacido una estrella hispana en Broadway.” Norma Niurka, El Nuevo Herald Miami "La fuerza interpretativa de Xiomara Laugart en el rol protagonico llena el escenario y la potencia de su voz...convense en cada una de sus interpretaciones..." M. Fedez Soberon, El Nuevo Dia-Puerto Rico "En cada salida que hace al escenario es respaldada por los aplausos de los seguidores de "la reina de la salsa", ante sus magistrales interpretaciones." Ruth Hernandez, EFE Agency Más información en las webs: www.xiomaralaugart.net www.wmmglobal.com www.myspace.com/xiomaralaugartlanegra