Experience Cubanissimo! Cuban pianist Elio Villafranca rides new wave of Afro-Jazz to OZ

“an inspired and visionary musician” Wynton Marsalis

Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist/composer Elio Villafranca will tour Australia for the first time this April. Villafranca’s native Cuba comes alive on Friday April 6 when he performs in the round with Afro-Cuban Orchestra, Palacio de la Rumba at Trackdown Studios in the Entertainment Quarter, MOORE PARK.

Promising fiery; passionate Cuban jazz, cha cha chá, rumba and more, The Entertainment Quarter's spectacular Trackdown Studio is transformed into a vibrant social club when Villafranca performs with a dynamic 19-piece Afro-Cuban Orchestra for two sets of incredible music. 

Artist Profile

Born in the Pinar del Río province of Western Cuba, Villfranca was classically trained in percussion and composition at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba. In 1995 he relocated to the U.S where he has worked extensively in the jazz and Latin jazz scenes throughout the US. 

Since his debut album “Incantations/Encantaciones” ranked amongst the Top 50 albums of 2003 (JazzTimes), the Steinway artist has received a multitude of accolades including Jazz Corner’s Pianist of the Year (2008), BMI Jazz Guaranty Award (2008) and the NFA/Heineken Green Ribbon Master Artist Music Grant (2008).  In 2010 he was nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Album (2010) and in 2014 received the Swing Award at Jazz at the Lincoln Centre. Last year, he was among five pianists chosen by Chick Corea to perform at the first Chick Corea Jazz Festival, also receiving the Sunshine Award which recognises excellence in the performing arts, education, science, and sports of the various Caribbean countries, South America, Central America, and Africa.

His music has been described as “passionate” and “a new application of ancient ways” by jazz legend Chick Corea, while internationally celebrated trumpeter and Artistic Director of Jazz at the Lincoln Centre, Wynton Marsalis, professes to having been “profoundly moved” by the Cuban composer’s vision and musicianship. Currently based in New York, Villafranca is a faculty member at both Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music and resident professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. 

PALACIO DE LA RUMBA

19-piece Palacio de la Rumba has brought together the cream of Sydney’s Latin and jazz communities and features outstanding musicians including bassist Steve Elphick from Mara!, renowned pianist Alister Spence, trumpeter Warwick Alder, trombonist James Greening, and brilliant percussionists Fabian Hevia and Giorgio Rojas - to name a few from this star studded lineup.

The group, which has been immediately embraced by both jazz and Latin music fans, looks forward to introducing a much wider audience to their brand of Cuban exuberance, passion and fire. Latin Jazz Network's Raul de Gama commented after listening to Palacio de la Rumba, "there is a wild celebration here... a riot of tone colour. Tempos, ensemble and balance - all seem effortless and intuitively right."

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

You can get to the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park by bus or car. Use Moovit to search for the best route and times.

Parking is available in the carpark. Enter via Errol Flynn Boulevard from Lang Road. The cost is $6.00 for the night. Staff at Trackdown will validate your parking ticket. 

Trackdown is a short walk from the Car park-literally a few minutes. Follow the road next to the car park past AFTRS, continue straight ahead to the courtyard of Trackdown Studios. Drinks will be available from a pop-up bar in the courtyard from 7.30pm. To have a detailed map of the Entertainment Quarter showing the route from the carpark to Trackdown emailed to you contact: gai@gaibryantspareparts.com

What can I bring into the event?

Eventbrite will provide us with the details you entered when you purchased your ticket. Staff will need to confirm photo ID for concession ticket holders. They will also direct you to seating at the venue. 

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Contact Gai Bryant via email at: gai@gaibryantspareparts.com. She will do her best to answer all your queries in a timely manner.

What's the refund policy?

Refunds will be available up to 3 days before the performance. Should you need to organise a refund contact Gai to facilitate this process on: gai@gaibryantspareparts.com. It may take 5 businesss days to reinburse you.