The Suba Trio—Omar Sosa from Cuba (keyboards), Seckou Keita from Senegal (kora), and Gustavo Ovalles from Venezuela (percussion)—rolls into the Outpost for a two-night stand, riding on the wings of their second and profoundly beautiful album, Suba, the word for “dawn” in Keita’s native Mandinka language. They are on a mission.
With a rhythm section of Kris Davis (piano), Dave Holland (bass), and Terri Lyne Carrington (drums), chances are good that the music will be satisfying. Top that off with the playing and composition skills of the two leaders of the In Common quintet, saxophonist Walter Smith III and guitarist Matthew Stevens, and you’ve got something a lot more than good.
Club d’Elf, an ever-changing musical collective led by head elf Mike Rivard, has released an inspired video single, “Dervish Dance,” to preview its forthcoming album, You Never Know (available April 1). The video features sand artist Kseniya Simonova, whose spellbinding creation captures the essence of the tune and your imagination.
Producer John Nichols is deeply passionate about (at least) three things: live music; raising money for New Day Youth and Family Services; and his dog, Aretha. Clever guy that he is, he’s found a way to combine all three. In February, the four-part series On the Road with Aretha, 10th Annual New Day Benefit will stream video of live performances featuring local artists in five cities—Albuquerque/Tucson, Austin, New Orleans, and Nashville. Music fans can enjoy terrific music and the sterling personality of canine hostess Aretha—voiced by vocalist Hillary Smith, a soulful force of nature—while helping young people in difficult straits.
Beginning on Wednesday, April 8, at noon, the first of five weekly Tiny Census Concerts (TCC) on I Count NM’s Facebook page will take place. Sponsored by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Complete Count Committee, the concerts will leverage the influence of New Mexico musicians to encourage citizens to complete the census form and will provide generous remuneration for their services. The first concert’s slate includes Joy Harjo, Rosalind Sanders Jones, Lara Manzanares, Larry Mitchell, Hillary Smith/Chris Dracup, and Jackie Zamora. Artists can apply for future concerts in the series by visiting the TCC website.
