muzycy: Omar Sosa: Fender Rhodes, Piano, Sampling, Vibraphone, Vocals
Julio Barreto: Drums
Paolo Fresu: Electronics, Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Leandro Saint Hill: Flute
Mola Sylla: Mbiri, Percussion, Vocals
Childo Tomas: Bass Guitar, Mbiri, Vocals

With “Promise”, Omar Sosa continues his exploration of the African roots of traditional musics throughout the Diaspora, using jazz harmonies and the latest technology. His new Afreecanos Quartet features Cuban drummer Julio Barreto, Mozambican electric bassist Childo Tomas, and Senegalese vocalist Mola Sylla. The ensemble fuses the folkloric with the contemporary, the tribal with the urban - all with a Latin jazz heart. Downbeat recently commented that “Sosa stokes the African and Cuban fires: Each burns distinctly from the other while illuminating the place between them. This is where Sosa pitches his musical camp and works his magic” (January 2007).

Recorded in front of a live audience at the NDR radio studios in Hamburg, Germany, “Promise” features the above Quartet, plus noted Italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu, and Cuban flute player Leandro Saint-Hill. This live recording anticipates the release in October 2007 of Omar Sosa’s next studio album, entitled “Afreecanos”.

Available from www.melodia.com or email music@melodia.com or call 510-339-3389.

Julio Barreto toured and recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba from 1991 to 1998 in Trio and Quartet, and is featured on the Rubalcaba recordings “Suite 4 y20”, “Rapsodia”, “Diz”, “Imagine” and “Antiguo”. Mr. Barreto has also toured and recorded with Roy Hargrove, David Sanchez, Chucho Valdes, Steve Coleman, Ravi Coltrane, Chico Freeman, José Luis Quintana, and Miguel “Anga” Diaz. He lives in Luzern, Switzerland.

In addition to the electric bass, Childo Tomas sings in his native language Mozambican language of Ronga, and plays m’bira. Mola Sylla sings in his native language of Wolof, and plays m’bira and xalam.

With “Promise”, Omar Sosa continues his exploration of the African roots of traditional musics throughout the Diaspora, using jazz harmonies and the latest technology. His new Afreecanos Quartet features Cuban drummer Julio Barreto, Mozambican electric bassist Childo Tomas, and Senegalese vocalist Mola Sylla. The ensemble fuses the folkloric with the contemporary, the tribal with the urban - all with a Latin jazz heart. Downbeat recently commented that “Sosa stokes the African and Cuban fires: Each burns distinctly from the other while illuminating the place between them. This is where Sosa pitches his musical camp and works his magic” (January 2007).

Recorded in front of a live audience at the NDR radio studios in Hamburg, Germany, “Promise” features the above Quartet, plus noted Italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu, and Cuban flute player Leandro Saint-Hill. This live recording anticipates the release in October 2007 of Omar Sosa’s next studio album, entitled “Afreecanos”.

Available from www.melodia.com or email music@melodia.com or call 510-339-3389.

Julio Barreto toured and recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba from 1991 to 1998 in Trio and Quartet, and is featured on the Rubalcaba recordings “Suite 4 y20”, “Rapsodia”, “Diz”, “Imagine” and “Antiguo”. Mr. Barreto has also toured and recorded with Roy Hargrove, David Sanchez, Chucho Valdes, Steve Coleman, Ravi Coltrane, Chico Freeman, José Luis Quintana, and Miguel “Anga” Diaz. He lives in Luzern, Switzerland.

In addition to the electric bass, Childo Tomas sings in his native language Mozambican language of Ronga, and plays m’bira. Mola Sylla sings in his native language of Wolof, and plays m’bira and xalam.