Beny Esguerra and New Tradition
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Beny Esguerra and New Tradition

Toronto, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF | AFM

Toronto, Canada | SELF | AFM
Established on Jan, 2012
Band Latin Roots

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Music

Press


"Beny Esguerra: A New Tradition Vol. 2 – Return of the Kuis"

PRESS QUOTES:

"Beny Esguerra & New Tradition captures ancient wisdom through the powerful & accessible vehicle of urban music culture. At a time where so many lineages struggle to preserve the wisdom of their teachings, A New Tradition has found a way to fuse the virtues of elder Colombian lineage with fresh beats, intelligent lyrics, and a driving dance grooves. Perhaps most importantly, A New Tradition upholds a sense of class, professionalism, and charisma both on and off the stage... solidifying themselves as not only entertainers, but true educators of world music & culture.""
- Ehren Cruz, Performing Arts Director | LEAF Festival

"The tracks in Beny's latest album take conscious Toronto Hip Hop music into a new direction by combining elements of world music, live instruments, and Spanglish lyrics all with deep roots in the Jane-Finch community"
- DJ DTS, Masterplan Show (CIUT 89.5fm)

"After seeing Beny and New Tradition at Mundial Montreal, I came to realize that his style sums up what world music is for me: wicked performance with influences from around the world and yet deeply rooted in tradition. A cutting edge style bringing out the consciousness of youth in a purely natural way that is infectious and feels close to home"
- Alex Bordokas, Founder and Artistic Director of Uma Nota, Artistic Associate of Harboourfront Centre

"Ruben “Beny” Esguerra is leading the wave of young Canadians developing brand new musical traditions, blending their cultural roots with their own unique presence. The result is a sound that is captivating, inclusive and vibrant."
- Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, Royal Conservatory of Music/Koerner Hall

"New Tradition was responsible for the highest-energy showcase of Mundial Montreal. The band was furiously polyrhythmic and super tight. You’ve got to experience Beny’s gaita (flute) riding overtop of Planet Rock beats to believe it. This band won't fail to make you dance your ass off while immersing you in the richness of Afro-Colombian heritage"
- David Dacks, Exclaim Magazine/Artistic Director, The Music Gallery

"Beny Esguerra brought the house down with a wild performance bringing together breakdancers, cumbia drums, and a strong message that resonates with youth. Amazing"
- Eli Levinson Marketing and Communications, Mundial Montreal

"With Toronto's hardest working Latin music producer and performer, Luisito Orbegoso, on board, Esguerra's debut CD features Diego Marulanda, Zimbwawean guitarist Tich Maredza, turntable hero DJ Grouch and rapper Motion, among others. Diasporic and generational experiences make the call and in response are the weaving of Colombia's indigenous flute, the gaita, Afro-Cuban and Colombian percussion, Orbegoso's improv and Esguerra's spoken word"
- Sumita Bidaye, Exclaim

"Definitivamente el lanzamiento de "A New Tradition" obtuvó un fantástico recibimiento, después de largos años de trabajo por parte de Rubén 'Beny' Esguerra, quien está iniciando una nueva etapa con el pie derecho"
- Cesia Chavarria Almaraz, El Popular

“A New Tradition” is just as the title states, it’s the beginning of a new wave of Latino talent in Canada. All artists and performers, young Latinos who are creating new roots in Canada and developing new traditions to express their generation.
- Sergio Elmir - Dos Mundos Radio

"Este tipo de evento, con ese nivel de calidad y con la suma de tantos talentos, definitivamente le abrirá aún más las puertas no sólo a Beny sino a nuestros valores latinos en Canadá"
- Victor Aguilar, Correo Canadiense

"I love my city. There is always so much good music on the go. Here are some previews of Ruben's new album coming this summer"
- Billy Bryans, Feb. 02/12 http://mrbryans.com/

"El CD 'A New Tradition,' una fusion experimental de ritmos derivados de diferentes tradiciones culturales, mezclado con liricas al estilo dub/hip hop que reflejan la conciencia critica del artista y la visión de un mundo que lucha por trascender las barreras impuestas por aquellos que hasta ahora han determinado de su destino"
- America Latina Newspaper

"I had a great time at Lula last night. Incredible performance by Beny and his 13 piece band"
- Ivy Cuervo, CBC

"A New Tradition encompasses the reality of the social struggles from the North and the South. Through its rhythms and anthems of resistance it allows us to better reflect on our condition as immigrants in Canada, and reminds us that our traditions and cultural expressions are fundamental to the spirit of our Latin American identity"
- Juan Diego Castro, SURLA President at Western University

"TONIGHT: Ruben Esguerra & NEW TRADITION CD Release jam @ Lula Lounge. You DON'T want to miss this one -- an all-star cast of some of the finest latin musicians in the country congregate to support the release of this brilliant spoken word CD. Tonight hear Beny's incredible sentiments against a lush Latin musical backdrop, all produced by Luis Orbegoso. This will be one for the books! "A NEW TRADITION - Beny Esguerra: Spoken Word with Latin Music - Re-invented"... one of my favourite discs of the year. Come down to Lula and celebrate it's release!"
- Brownman Ali, Brownman Music Inc

"Had the joy of being part of Ruben Esguerra New Tradition CD release jam, amazing people, politics, poetry, art & music - thank you for what u do Beny & for sharing it with all of us - also great to spend time with so many amazing comrades "Bringing Into Fruition - A New Tradition"
- Kelly O'Sullivan (President at Cupe Local 4308)

"Saw your CD release show at Lula a few weeks back. Loved it. Love the CD. Love what you're doing. Keep it going. A New Tradition for sure"
- Bruce Lyne (Teacher at TDSB)

"Ruben Esguerra deliverd and brought us to a world of Peace,harmony,roots and poetry last night. With a fabulous line up of musicians he gave us flavour and fusion from all Latin and Urban genres He indeed started "A NEW TRADITION" VAYA BENY!!!. Sabor!:)"
- Yeti Yetunde Ajasin (Artist)

"Ruben Esguerra, great job. I was impressed by the CD, but the live performance blew away any expectations that I had. Thanks for allowing us to share this evening with you"
- Javier Espinoza (MPP Marketing Group Inc)

"Beny is an Artist that we Latinos of all ages can be proud of, he brings important elements of our culture to the forefront in a very creative and compelling way, his team is also an outstanding group of devoted artists – all together New Tradition is a truly remarkable package!!!"
Radames Nieves-Gonzalez - Latin Music and Culture Specialist/Product Development Consultant - Raul da Gama


Discography

A New Tradition VOL 2. - Beny EsguerraReturn of The KUISi 2016
A New Tradition - Beny EsguerraSpoken Word with Latin Music Reinvented
2012

Photos

Bio

Beny Esguerra and New Tradition

Is an interactive performance project that explores the concepts of tradition and modernity through the production of a multidisciplinary performance featuring spoken word, music, songs, dance and design. While creating bridges across musical genres, the original compositions incorporate ancient instruments such as the 2000 plus year old indigenous kuisi bunsi flute (a.k.a. Colombian gaita) with more recent instruments such as the turntables. With the use of a human beatboxer and a DJ as essential elements of the bands sonic identity the ensemble can maintain its original sound while performing with as many as thirteen musicians all the way down to three, making the show adaptable to various performance contexts.

Ancestral musical styles + urban cultural expressions = New Tradition

Selected Performances:

2017        Ashville, Pisgah and Black Mountain, North Carolina; Invited to perform and conduct workshops at the Lake Eden Arts Festival, partner schools and community centres. October.

2017        Montreal, Quebec; Commissioned by the United Food and Commercial Workers to create a 20 minute piece to open at the UFCWs National Convention and before inviting surprise keynote speaker Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau onto the stage at the Sheraton Centre. August.

2017        Moncton, New Brunswick; Invited to perform and conduct workshops at the Mosaiq Multicultural festival. July.

2017        Harrison Hot Springs and Vancouver, BC; Invited to perform and conduct workshops with New Tradition at the Harrison Festival of the Arts and Carnaval de Sol festival. July.

2017        Toronto, Ontario; Invited to perform with a cast of 20 performers to open the Our Home on Native Land festival at the Harbourfront Centre, Main Stage. June.

2017        Brooklyn, New York; invited to open for Hip Hop cultures premiere photographer Ernie Paniccioli at his 70th birthday celebration sharing the stage with Melle Mel, EPMD, Soul Rebels, Bri Briskool, Jay Robi and others at the Littlefield stage. March.

2016        Montreal, Quebec; invited to showcase at the Mundial Montreal 2016 conference designed to showcase international World Music artists at the Divan Orange. November.

2016        New York, New York; invited to headline the Eagle/Condor/Swap/Program at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Centre of New York, CUNY as an artist and scholar. October.

2016        Ottawa, Ontario; Commissioned by the One Young World conference to create a piece for the event’s closing ceremonies sharing the stage with Emmanuel Jal. October.

2016       Toronto, Ontario; Rock Against the TPP tour sharing the stage with international acts such as: Rebel Diaz, Taina Asili, Anti Flag and others at the Operah House. September.

2016       Toronto, Ontario; Sophomore Album Release of 'A New Tradition VOL. 2 – Return of the KUISi' along with over 16 local and international artists at Lula Lounge. September.

2016       Ottawa, Ontario; House of Paint Festival 2016; Mainstage at Brewer Park. Ruben 'Beny' esguerra and New Tradition. August.

2016       Toronto, Ontario; Afro Fest 2016; Mainstage at Woodbine Park. Ruben 'Beny' esguerra and New Tradition. July

Band Members