We could simply define Omar Sosa as an Afro-Cuban jazz pianist. It would be far from false, of course, but it would still be terribly reductive.

Because if he has always kept one foot firmly anchored in the traditions of his native island, this citizen of the world at the same time shows proof of an insatiable curiosity, tirelessly exploring music from the four corners of the globe: from the Caribbean to the India and West Africa to the Arab world, nothing seems to escape his thirst for discovery. We bet that this diversity of experience and this sense of openness will naturally be reflected in the music played by this quartet defined as "afrocubano", which we will also notice that it includes a bassist from... Mozambique! A celebration of rhythm in all its forms – he also began his musical apprenticeship with percussion – a concert by Omar Sosa always presents itself as an intense, total experience, some will even say mystical. Among his influences, Omar cites traditional Afro-Cuban music, European classical composers (including Chopin, Bartok, and Satie), Monk, Coltrane, Parker, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Chucho Valdés, and the pioneering Cuban jazz group Irakere.

His career embodies the expansive outlook of a visionary artist who has taken Monk’s uncompromising spirit to heart, while working ceaselessly to craft and project a unique, cosmopolitan voice. Among his influences, Omar cites traditional Afro-Cuban music, European classical composers (including Chopin, Bartok, and Satie), Monk, Coltrane, Parker, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Chucho Valdés, and the pioneering Cuban jazz group Irakere.

Omar Sosa received a lifetime achievement award from the Smithsonian Associates in Washington, DC in 2003 for his contribution to the development of Latin jazz in the United States. Over the years, Omar has been nominated six times for a GRAMMY and twice for the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. In 2003 he received the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Album of the Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association in NYC for his recording Sentir; and a nomination from the Jazz Journalists Association for Latin Jazz Album of the Year in 2005 for his recording Mulatos, featuring Paquito D’Rivera. Omar’s CD release with the NDR Bigband, Ceremony, received an ECHO Jazz Award in 2011 for Big Band Album of the Year.

Cast: Omar Sosa (Piano Fender Rhodes Vocals), Childo Tomas (Electric Bass Vocals), Ernesto Simpson (Drums), Leandro Saint-Hill (Saxophones Flute Percussion Vocals)