Nova Concerts Series Presents: Akokán — The Roots of Afro-Cuban Jazz

Get ready for a night of pure energy and rhythm as Nova Concerts Series presents Akokán – The Roots of Afro-Cuban Jazz on May 16, 2025, at MusiKcafeen. This Cuban ensemble unites a vibrant lineup of internationally acclaimed musicians who each bring their voice to the Afro-Cuban jazz tradition. The ensemble includes Cuban percussionist Bárbaro “Machito” Crespo, the dynamic Eliel Lazo, bassist Yasser Pino, vocalist and percussionist Maykel Castellanos, and the amazing Polish pianist Artur Tuźnik.
Machito’s electrifying percussion sets the pulse of the performance, while Eliel Lazo brings his award-winning style and deep Afro-Cuban roots to the stage. Yasser Pino’s groove-driven bass lines provide a rock-solid foundation. Artur Tuźnik combines melodic and harmonic sensibility, blending Polish folk and Scandinavian jazz with Afro-Cuban traditions.
“This concert is a tribute to Africa’s essential role in shaping Cuban and Latin Jazz,” says Abel Alazo, Director of Nova Concerts Series. “We’re bringing together the roots and rhythms of a new generation—musicians influenced by both African and European traditions—to offer a fresh and powerful take on Latin Jazz. We’re excited to share this unique experience with you all.”
The repertoire will include Akokán's reimagined takes on traditional chants and "toques" (rhythmic patterns) from the pantheon of the Orishas—West African deities whose traditions were carried to Cuba and Brazil through centuries of forced cultural migration and exchange—interwoven with original Cuban Rumba compositions.
Step into a world where rhythm breathes, melodies converse, and tradition meets innovation in a rich and immersive musical experience. With all musicians hailing from Cuba—except for the Polish pianist Artur Tuźnik—this concert offers a unique blend of cultural expressions rooted in Cuban heritage.