THe London Lucumi Choir was a joint project founded by Daniela Rosselson (Ochun Kayode see friends below!) and Martha Galarraga with the help of Percussionist Omo Ana Dave Pattman in November 2006 as a natural progession after two years of successful singing for the Orisha open workshops organised by Daniela and her Wild Indigo Project with Martha Galarraga. The choir gives the opportunity for anyone who loves to sing, to get together and learn what it is like to sing and perform arrangements accompanied by live percussion. The choir members learn songs of the Orisha and other Afro-Cuban genres with Martica. Martha Galarraga is the daughter of Lazaro Galarraga. She has had years of singing experience having trained with the Conjunto Folklorico of Cuba where she was for many years first soloist. She has recorded with Lazaro Ross and Yoruba Andabo amongst others and has toured the world with Cuban Pianist Omar Sosa. Her voice is featured on the Grammy nominated recording "Sentir" They also learn breathing techniques and some basic harmony skills with Daniela. Daniela was classically trained as a child at the London College of Music and has a thorough training in musical theory and harmony. She has also studied music in Cuba and has been in various bands as a vocalist over the last twenty years. She is also a percussionist and has studied Bata with Octavio Rodriguez in Havana. The choir also learns thoroughly the rhythms of the Bata that accompanies the songs with Dave. Dave Pattman is one of Great Britains most renowned all round percussionsts having played with most of the major Latin Bands in the UK over the last twenty five years. He is Omo Ana and has a deep knowledge of these sacred songs and rhythms having studied and played in Tambors in The United States and Cuba. These three renowned musicians have been hosting Singing and dancing for the Orisha workshops In london UK for over two years. Martica and Daniela have also led two study trips to Cuba in 2006.
The choir is open to all and requires no experience only that you sing in tune and have a high level of commitment! If you live in England and are interested in more information, drop me a line!
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