MIKONOS
Solo,
se hace visible
el lado oscuro de la luna
encarnada en molinos de viento
que recuerdan el Quijote,
y donde el Olimpo anglosajón
vierte su léxico,
incómodo,
como una estrella negra en el cielo.
(2004)
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 in the Septeto Habanero and song of Ramón Soto, singer of conjunto Arsenio Rodríguez, he started studying classical guitar at the age of 11. In 1995 he participated, playing electric bass, 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 he..s directing the Latin All Stars Salsa Orchestra playing with musicians of international fame like Alfredo de la Fe, Jimmy Bosch, Orlando Watussi, Luisito Rosario, Larry Harlow, Mercado Negro Orchestra 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. Recently he recorded and produced the Latin All Stars album with all compositions and arrangments by him self. Other relevant participation was playing with Angel Parra, important song-writer from Chile, son of the unforgetable 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 Amarra” was included in a film soundtrack of Antonis Kafetzopoulos “H gynaika einai poly kakos anthropos” (Woman is a very bad person). Actually he..s producing the new album of Janet Capuya, great singer from Uruguay based in Athens.
For two years now he presents his latin jazz project with a very fresh cuban jazz and this year 2008 he releases his first personal album Waking Up, recorded in Turin, Italy, by DDE records.
“[…] 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, Joel 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 Joel 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).
Pipo te dejo un besote bien grande , espero que estes bien , perdoname por la demora en escribir pero tu sabes que te amo con el corazon , que dios te bendiga .
Joel !!! como van las cosas? confio la vida te trate bien, mucho trabajo?, no hay a la vista concert x España?:(, me encantaria nos conocieramos. cuidate y no olvides sonreir, vive cada instante con la mayor intensidad posible cariños desde España Pilar:) pd: Joel, seria para mi un honor me dejases tus impresiones en los blogs sobre lo que escribo... tu sabes que el recibirlos de las personas que queremos es vital, pero de los profesionales es necesario, de gran ayuda y apoyo para seguir con animo.(muchas gracias desde ya!!!)
oye ahora mismo estoy en Torino en el cumpleanos de sarita y lei el mensaje junto con el caldero. Estamos contentos y te mandamos un besote enorme. Besos tambien para nuestro sobrino y para Maria. Los queremos.
Bueno bueno."La gana" quedo buenisima.... Cuando empezò senti la voz del Calde y no pude evitar la carcajada. Ustedes se les escaparon al diablo. Cuentame como estan y como està la barrigona. Por aqui todo bien. Ahora llamo al Caldero que desde el cumpleanos no lo siento. Lo quiero mucho mucho. Amaelys
gracias negrito!! sin duda alguna...ya comparto las develadas,las sacadas de gases..y sobre todo los regalitos en el pañal!!!jejeje....como van por alla con la nueva espera???besos pa los 4!!!
HEY CUCCIOLONE!!! ESPERO TU E LA FAMILY TODO OK!EL NENE ESTA YA GRANDIMO Y BELLO!!PREPARATE AHORA PARA EL OTRO! "THE SOTO BAND" JAJAJA.. YO ESTOY SUPER BIEN ..CON TANTAS COSAS LINDAS EN ARRIVO..COMO LLEGUEN TE CUENTO. MIL BESOS Y SUERTE MI NEGRO!!
Concho negrito, aunq esté aquí sabes que estoy deseando estar por allí, haber cuando te tenemos por españa vale? Te quiero un montón mi negro. Cuídate.
Corazón, no sería mejor que no te irías? Te adoro papi mou!!! Y esa foto me la hice ayer con la mac del trabajo, de verdad te gusta? Me faltas ya!!!!!!!!!
Tremenda memoria la tuya mi hermanito jajajaja , me imagino como se habran reido tu mami y tu hermana jajajaa. Te dejo un besote inmenso y sabes lo que te amo de todo corazon , bendiciones y siempre cosas bellas para utds .
Joe lindo como te va????..es posible que vaya en agosto a Grecia aunque aun no es seguro..si voy te llamo.Cuidate mucho y dejame saber como estas...TE KELO!!!:)
Joe espero que todo este bien. hace dias que estoy perdida pero no tengo tiempo para nada. Dime como està Maria y Cuentame del sobri. Les mando un besote enorme. Amaelys.
