The Latin formation
Cubop City Big Band led by drummer/percussionist Lucas van Merwijk has been named after the Latin pendant of bebop: ‘cubop’, a style that was mainly put on the map by Dizzy Gillespie. The music of the great Machito has been a major inspiration for Van Merwijk, who, together with his Cubop City Big Band, has toured with various projects. In the project
The Mambo Kings he highlighted the music of Machito, Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez. His tribute to Arsenio Rodriguez featured the Cuban tresero Nelson Gonzalez. The band also played with the Cuban trumpeter Chocolate Armenteros, the Colombian pianist Edy Martinez and Cuban percussionist Armande Peraza. The band celebrates its 10th anniversary with
Latin Vocal Explosion, a show featuring guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, guest singers Izaline Calister and Lilian Viera (Zuco 103), and Yma America, the band’s regular singer from day one.
