Alfonso Cid

The fusion between Jazz and Flamenco is undoubtedly one of the most exciting artistic expressions currently emerging from Europe. The result, in the case of New Bojaira [Bo-hi-ra], is an original and engaging fusion, blending jazz improvisation with the excitement of flamenco rhythms and singing to create a powerful combination of energy and subtlety on stage, taking audiences on a fascinating multi-cultural excursion. The core quartet is comprised of a combination of two highly regarded Spanish musicians from the home of flamenco, Andalusia, pianist Jesús Hernández and singer/flute player Alfonso Cid; and two long time veterans of the New York jazz scene, bassist Tim Ferguson and drummer Mark Holen. In addition, the band will join forces with virtuoso saxophonist Peter Brainin and the wonderful Flamenco dancer from Barcelona, Spain, Elisabet Torras. As said by guest artist Claudia Valentina’s 2017 Latin Grammy award winning producer and percussionist, Felipe Fournier, “If you melded Chavela Vargas, Ella Fitzgerald and Gal Costa together, you’d find her voice there somewhere in between…” Equal parts singer, dancer and jaranera, Claudia Valentina epitomizes the mélange parfait of modern New York as a California-born, New York-raised daughter of Mexican and Jamaican immigrants. Claudia Valentina will grace Drom’s stage accompanied by New Bojaira on a jazzy interpretation of her Latin American repertoire.   New Bojaira releases a new album, Zorongo Blu. Featuring jazz legend Randy Brecker on the track titled "El Diablo Llama a Mi Puerta". New Bojaira’s debut release is a collection of original compositions and jazz standards with the addition of the traditional Spanish folk song Zorongo which, when given a bluesy jazz/flamenco treatment, becomes the vehicle for the band's unique virtuosity and is transformed into the album's title track. Each composition on the album has a distinct and original feel, from a flamenco framing of Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight” to Hernandez’s setting of two poems by Miguel de Cervantes “Jaleo del Celoso Extremeño” and “Farruca de Argel”. Jazz soloing is juxtaposed against the time-tested backdrop of flamenco rhythm. “A great combination of Flamenco, Jazz and some interesting hard bop styles that I like quite a bit.” Darek Mazzone-KEXP (Seattle)   “New Bojaira’s album is a classic celebration of the collision of all that is Moorish and Arabic in Spanish music with all that is African and American in Blues and Jazz.” Raul da Gama-Latin Jazz Network   “… [Zororongo Blu] displays how adept and versatile the group is, how they can fit at home in multiple worlds without sounding like a parody of a distant genre.” Andy Jurki-PopMatter
Performing: Jesús Hernández / Piano. Alfonso Cid / Flamenco vocals and flute Tim Fergusson / Bass. Mark Holen / Drums. Guest artists: Elisabet Torras/ Flamenco dancer Peter Brainin/ Saxophones and flute Claudia Valentina/ Singer and jarana