¡Ella! ¡Todas! Mujer: una gran reserva natural de fantasía; vedada, privada, abolida por el género que represento. Llamada incapaz, débil, bruja, instrumento del demonio, manipuladora, en fin, un tabú, un miedo inexplicable hacia lo que ella representa; juzgada así por religiones y sociedades -o suciedades- conducida por un solo ¨miembro¨ absoluto y absurdo. Denegada, prohibida, maltratada, torturada desde siempre, abundante de caricias ausentes, ternuras ausentes, no vastas atenciones, no vastas devociones.
Sounds Like
Exposición de la pintora italiana Chichi Mura; sus cuadros inspirados en algunos de mis poemas. Palabras Negras, Art and Coffee gallery, mayo-junio 2004, Torino.
Yoel Soto was born in Havana on 1st September 1977. Grandson of Ramón Soto, who sang in the late 40’s with Septeto Habanero and son of Ramón Soto, singer of conjunto Arsenio Rodríguez, he started studying classical guitar at the age of 11. In 1995 he participated at Festival Jazz Plaza de La Habana with Bobby Carcassés, one of the most important jazz representatives of the island. In 1996 he obtained his diploma of electric bass at National School of Art and same year, before leaving to Italy where he stayed for several years, he collaborated with known cuban bands like Bamboleo and Diákara.
In Italy he has participated in various festivals like Umbria Jazz, San Remo and all over Europe sharing scene with some of the biggest figures of latin music. Some of them: Celia Cruz, Tito Gomez, Oscar D’ Leon, Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Eddie Palmieri. Actually he lives in Athens where for almost 3 years he directed the Latin All Stars Salsa Orchestra which has played with musicians of international fame like Alfredo de la Fe, Jimmy Bosch, Orlando Watussi, Luisito Rosario, Larry Harlow, and singers of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra -2005 latin Grammy winner and 2007 latin Grammy nomination- Ray de la Paz, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vazquez, Marco Bermudez. With the same orchestra he recorded and produced an album with all compositions and arrangements by him self. Other relevant participation was, playing with Angel Parra, important song-writer from Chile, son of the unforgettable Violeta Parra. Yoel has participated in some greek performances like recording the first album of Zoe Tiganouria, greek accordionist, and, as composer, his song “La Tengo Amarrá” was included in a film soundtrack of Antonis Kafetzopoulos “H gynaika einai poly kakos anthropos” (Woman is a very bad person). He just finished the musical production of the new Janet Kapuya‘s album (Profundamente), a known uruguaian singer based in Athens.
His first personal jazz album “Waking Up”, recorded in Turin, Italy, is beeing released by DDE Records, a discographic company based in UK. At the same time he’s part of the New Guataca, Chico’s Freeman project.
“[…] then again, this is Cuban Jazz and, let me say, of top quality. Although most of today’s Jazz in Cuba revolves around flashy arrangements, lightning-fast horn phrases and exuberant multi-percussion layers, Yoel Soto’s approach is a clear reflection of his own human character: this is a relaxed, soft-voiced, romantic and kind of dreamy guy, so his view of Jazz is a melodic, deep, atmospheric and incredibly soulful one, concentrating on the creation of a sonic world that allows space to savor each note, submerge to the core of each composition and, most importantly, think and understand what this music is all about : beauty, poetry and emotion, all laid down and being proposed with an almost perfect balance between musical complexity, utmost progressiveness and spiritual sincerity. Of course, mighty afro-cuban grooves are very much present in here, as well as rich harmonies, impressive improvisations, some introspective vocals, a few nice lyrics, a good variety of rhythmic styles and an overall impeccable musical direction and (definitely) writing. Cha cha cha, guaguanco, danzon, timba, afro and bolero are merged with strong jazz lines, fusion elements and Brazilian overtones – an utterly modern (and very Caribbean in its essence) point of view that Yoel himself describes as “algo de soul con elemento afro, mi negro” (“some soul with afro-cuban features, brother”). Very precise description, I must add” [...] Vasilio Stamatiou, music journalyst (radio Kosmos. 107 FM).
Negrito del alma!!!!!! Que tal están por allí?!! Ya María te habrá comentado algunas cosas, bueno, todo va iendo viento en popa, pero ya te detallaré cuando hablemos. Mientras, que sepas, les sigo llevando en mi alma y queriéndoles, que les hecho de menos y que estoy deseando coger pâ`ya, ya tu sabe........Un abrazote grande y dale un beso a mis sobrinos y toda la gente.
Ya tenia q pasarme y dejarte mi saludo... la verdad extrañaba entrar en tu casita y dejarte algo....provocarte una sonrisa, compartir musica,..q me hablaras de tus sueños. Confio todo en casa y la family esten de categoria primera especial jaja.... Un abrazo, muchos cariños para ti amigo siempre Pilar:) pd: entro bien poquito x estos lares pero siempre mi recuerdo para ti querido Yoel. te dejo algo q seguro t va a llegar al alma tu eres un hombre bien sensible
Dime hermano. Yo estoy muy contento que estamos en contacto. Como me gustaria estar ahi en el concierto del dia 16. Se que estara estelar. Cuidate mi herma y no te pierdas. Un saludon desde Canada
MUCHISIMAS FELICIDADES CORAZÓN...!!! YA VEO QUE TE VAN LAS COSITAS BIEN NO...??? TOCANDO CON CHICO FREEMAN...!!! TE LO MERECES CIELO. BESITOS DE ESTA NEGRITA QUE SIEMPRE TE HA QUERIDO MUCHO...
Hola amigo!!!! soy panchito, el muchacho de Reggio Calabria que tocò con tigo y Chico la otra noche!!!!!!! Un abrazo fuerte para ti y tu familia y como siempre hasta pronto!!!!!!!! Achè mi hermano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aguaaaaaaaaaa