Irakere to perform at Wisconsin Union Theater

Details: Tickets for Irakere: $26 ($25 Union members, $12.50 UW–Madison students), Union Theater Box Office, or call 262-2201.

Cuba’s most famous Latin jazz group, Irakere, heats up the stage at the Wisconsin Union Theater Friday, Oct. 22, at 9 p.m.

A leading and innovative force in Latin music, Irakere combines the rhythms of their homeland with the free-flowing expression of American jazz.

While in Madison, members of Irakere will conduct a Cuban Music Workshop Friday, Oct. 22, at noon in Kosta’s Restaurant, 117 State St., third floor.

Founded in 1973 by pianist Chucho Valdes, the 12-member Irakere is one of the premiere Afro-Cuban jazz ensembles and remains on the cutting edge of Latin jazz. Irakere is regularly featured at the most important international jazz festivals, having performed most recently at the 1998 Chicago Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

The band is comprised of piano, bass, drums, two guitars, congero, two saxophones, two trumpets and two singers. Some of Cuba’s most renowned jazz artists have played with Irakere, including co-founder Paquito D’Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.

After two decades of being refused entry into the U.S., Irakere is again energizing fans with its performances and recordings. Their most recent recording, “Babalu Aye,” received a Grammy nomination.

Irakere appears under the sponsorship of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee and is co-sponsored by Centro Hispano of Madison. Additional support is provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board and promotional support is provided by WORT-FM.