Pepe Rivero presents 'Yoruba Suite'

The origins of Yoruba Suite date back to an original commission in 2018 for the Madrid International Festival of Sacred Art. Initially conceived in a smaller format, the work grew organically into an ambitious score for an Afro-Cuban quintet and symphony orchestra, ultimately involving around 40 musicians throughout its development and recording at Cezanne Studios. The album is technically distinguished by its ability to intertwine classical rigour with Cuban folk traditions and the Yoruba religious heritage brought from Africa.

Throughout its tracks, traditional deities such as Elegguá, Oggún, Obbatalá, Oshún, Babalú Ayé, Oyá and Yemayá guide the sonic journey, with each movement functioning independently while sharing a common spiritual thread. Recorded using advanced sound technology, including Dolby Atmos mixes, the project features stellar collaborations from the likes of Paquito D'Rivera on saxophone, Nigerian soloist Akinsola Elegbede contributing ancestral vocals, trumpeter Manuel Machado, and percussion virtuosos such as Yuvisney Aguilar. It is a cultural testament in which European academic precision blends naturally with the spontaneity of Latin jazz and the rhythmic prayers of African traditions.