Latin Fiesta
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Latin Fiesta

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Band Latin World

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This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"A word from the Maestro. The Grand Rapids Press"

It was a true delight to work with Latin Fiesta. The repertoire they chose was a refreshing mixture of lively favorites peppered with unexpected works of sensuous beauty and deep meaning. I was partiularly pleased with the arrangements because the interplay between the ensemble and the orchestra enhanced both and added character to the evening. I look forward to working with them again. - David Lockington. Music Director and Conductor. The Grand Rapids Symphony


"Latin Fiesta bursts with infectious energy"

Latin Fiesta, a 10 member ensemble who takes you on a whirlwind tour of Latin Music from around the word, filled the stage of the Wilmington Grand Opera House with music and movement, radiating energy that was absolutely infectious. - Leo Irwin The News Journal (Delaware)


"Not only professional It was art!!!!"

Latin Fiesta' ability to weave audience participation and cultural information into the program, while maintaining a seemengly seamlees rhythm, was more than just professional, it was art!!. - Daniel Johnson. Director. Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center


"First rate musicianship."

Latin Fiesta is one of the very few groups I have ever heard in Puerto Rico, Mexico or the USA that plays contemporary and traditional Latin music equally well. They also provide cultural and historical information related to the repertoire as part of their presentation. Then they invite audience members to dance and sing with them, which is really the icing on the cake. - Rick Kearns. El Hispano newspaper.


"CD review:One of the finest Latin CD's we have heard"

Assembled here are some of the finest Latin talent that can be found.
Latin Fiesta's AMOR A LA VIDA is a 14 track collection that spans the Latin landscape of musical mastery.
This is one of the finest Latin CD's we have heard. - Earbuzz


"'Latin Fiesta' Concert Entertains, Educates"

It is hard to define what makes Latin Fiesta special. It's not just the superb musicianship, although each member's virtuosity was proven again and again during the show.I think what made them special was their ability to connect with their audience. Latin Fiesta managed to transcend the language barrier. They managed to draw audience members in and make them more than passive listeners. They made them part of the show.
[Vania] Taylor's voice particularly stood out. It combined the passion and power of Linda Ronstadt with the energy of Gloria Esteban. - By Peter Watson. Jackson Sun Newspaper


"Latin Fiesta...Wonderful..!"

Latin Fiesta was exciting...colorful...wonderful...!Latin Fiesta's talents can be extended to any type of an audience guaranteeing a great professional success. I recommend them highly!! - Luis Biava-Phila Orch, Conductor in Residence.


Discography

CD Amor a la Vida (Love of Life)
Released in 2005

Photos

Bio

The Latin Fiesta ensemble has won wide acclaim as a pioneer in the presentation of crossover concerts. The ensemble is led by award winning performers Maria del Pico Taylor, Cuban born pianist and Raymond Taylor, English born violinist. The composition of the group consists of Maria-piano, Raymond-violin, Vania Taylor-lead vocalist, Liliana Ruiz Davis- Flamenco/Latin dancer, Cynthia Folio-flute,Fernando Valencia, Tom Lowery and Cuco Aponte, Latin percussion.Kevin MacConnell (bass)The unorthodox composition of this ensemble lends itself to exciting and versatile programming. Rarely does one hear a crossover concert that shifts from a hot salsa tune to a classical work by Albeniz, and then incorporates a contemporary Latin version of a Baroque Concerto Grosso, ending with the audience rising out of their seats to join in an Afro-Cuban conga line.
Latin Fiesta is on the roster of the Preserving Diverse Cultures program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and of Young Audiences of Eastern Pennsylvania. Under their auspices they perform for thousands of children yearly. After an educational concert at The Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center in New Jersey the director wrote: “Latin Fiesta’s ability to weave audience participation and cultural information into the program while maintaining a seemingly seamless rhythm was more than just professional, it was art.”
Latin Fiesta performs nationwide in a variety of venues ranging from school assemblies and residencies to concert halls, festivals and appearances as soloists with Symphony Orchestras.
In 2005 under the auspices of the Philadelphia Music Project, Latin Fiesta created an annual large scale Hispanic Music Festival in Philadelphia called "Hispanos...Many Roots..Many Faces.."which has commissioned and premiered significant Hispanic compositions from Latino Grammy artists such as Oscar Hernandez- Director of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Carlos Franzetti- Grammy nominated as Best Classical Composer in 2007, Tania Leon- former composer in residence with the New York Philharmonic and Arturo O'Farrill- Co-founder of the Afro Cuban Latin Jazz ensemble at Lincoln Center. NY.
Concert highlights include the Opening Celebrations of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Welcome America Festival on the Parkway, Repertorio Espanol in New York, a pre-concert encounter with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music, Bethlehem Musikfest, Raices Festival at the Wilmington Opera House, Caribbean Festival at Penns Landing and guest appearances with The Philadelphia Classical Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan,Jackson Symphony Orchestra in Tennessee, Pottstown Symphony and the Signature Symphony in Tulsa OK
The critics have hailed every member of Latin Fiesta as virtuoso artists: “ lead vocalist combines the passion and power of Linda Ronstadt with the energy of Gloria Estefan”… “A brilliant percussion section”… “The powerful pianist mesmerized the capacity audience”… “The violinist showed great virtuosity and wonderful ensemble playing”… “With the Spanish dancer trading exciting flamenco heel clicks with the percussionists, supported by a dynamic bass player, Latin Fiesta set down a sizzling rumba beat”.
The variety of audiences that Latin Fiesta performs for is reflected in the diversity of reviews ranging from the heart warming words of a child at an outdoor festival: “please don’t leave yet… this is the happiest day of my life”, to the words of the music critic from the Jackson Sun: “What makes Latin Fiesta special is not just the superb musicianship, although each members’ virtuosity was proven again and again during the show… it was their ability to connect with the audience… They managed to draw audience members in and make them more than passive listeners… They made them part of the show”. In 2005 Latin Fiesta released their first CD "Amor a la Vida" (Love of Life). MANAGEMENT: www.ProducersInc.com
1 813 988-8333