About

Roman Díaz & his nine-piece percussion-vocal-dance ensemble return to Zinc Bar to celebrate The Day of Orula: the supreme oracle of the orishas.

Featured in the film Calle 54, venerated elder statesman Román Díaz is a master percussionist from Havana, Cuba, and a musician known for mentoring young musicians including Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Yosvany Terry and his brother, bassist Yunior; pianist and composer David Virelles; and Grammy-nominated percussionist Pedrito Martínez, featured performer and producer of Díaz’s recording.  Today Díaz – an important Olú Aña or “keeper of the sacred drum” – is considered a pillar of the New York City jazz avant-garde and one of Afro Cuban music’s great innovators.

Initiated by his elders into the ancient African brotherhood of the drum, Díaz holds steadfast to their teachings on his first U.S. release as a leader, L’ó Da Fún Bàtá [Casting the Sacred Cowrie Shell Oracle for Bàtá ], on Motéma Music. The album aligns the sacred traditions of Afro Cuban Bàtá drumming with a Yoruba choir of five women from Harlem in New York City whose stirring interpretations of Yoruba chants are a standout feature of the recording. Most of the tracks feature oracle poetry by Díaz in the Afrocubanismo style of the late 1920’s and early 30’s, a cultural movement that coincided historically with the Harlem Renaissance.

SHOWTIME: 9 pm ~ 11 pm

Cover $20 at the door