Santeria

COME INTO OUR WORLD — where flamenco meets Brazilian passion, with a middle eastern twist — it’s musical voodoo… WHAT ARE WE ABOUT? Four musicians and two dancers bring you their take on the world — It’s a fusion of musical styles, based in Latin American rhythms, Flamenco, Middle Eastern and even tasty bits of Brazilian jazz, with an emphasis on the warm sounds and rich melodies of the acoustic guitars, bass, and percussions. To that we add an exotic mix of vocals in several languages, along with fiery live performances that include an urban flamenco dance edge.

Like the religion of Santeria their propulsive music is a mystical blend of old and new world influences — tribal rhythms expressing themselves in the gospels of popular song. Flamenco guitar runs along with electric bass while congas, cajon and timbales transport the rhythm to Afro-Latin locales. Sultry vocals breathe out Bossa Nova tales that teasingly take each song to a mysterious musical place occupied exclusively by Santerias.

This Toronto foursome brings the influences of their diverse backgrounds (Chilean, Colombian, Canadian) to the forefront of their sound in a way that has them often compared to Spain’s Ojos de Brujo. Some songs bring in Middle Eastern and South Asian rhythms while some embrace a Brazilian Tropicália sensibility. Band members include: Oriana Barbato (bass); Jay Guerriere (percussion, vocals); Juan Dino Toledo (guitar, vocals) and Rubi (lead vocals, percussion). Some live concerts also include Flamenco dancers.

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