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Omar Sosa is a celebrated Cuban pianist and composer, known for his innovative fusion of Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz, and diverse global music influences. With a rich background in classical and jazz traditions, Sosa captivates audiences with his rhythmic piano style and vibrant compositions, reflecting his deep cultural roots and artistic exploration.
Omar Sosa
Omar Sosa is a renowned Cuban-born pianist, composer, and bandleader whose work bridges Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz, and a wide spectrum of world music influences, including Caribbean, Latin American, European, and African traditions.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 10, 1965, in Camagüey, Cuba, Sosa began his formal music education at age eight, studying percussion and marimba at the local conservatory.
He continued his studies at the Escuela Provincial de Música in Camagüey (1970–1977), then specialized in percussion at the Escuela Nacional de Música in Havana (1977–1983), and later at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana (1984).
As a teenager, he also took up piano at the Escuela Nacional de Música, which became his primary instrument.
Early Career in Cuba
In the early 1980s, Sosa began teaching percussion to school-age children at the Escuela Provincial de Arte in Manzanillo and Havana.
In 1986, he founded the group Tributo, serving as arranger and musical director, toured internationally in Angola, Nicaragua, Congo, and Ethiopia, and orchestrated and directed two recording projects for Tributo.
In 1988, Sosa became musical director and keyboardist for Cuban vocalist Vicente Feliu, arranging and producing the album Arteporetica and touring Nicaragua.
In 1990, he formed the group XL Talla Extra with vocalist Xiomara Laugart, producing her record and collaborating with several Latin jazz bands.
International Career and Relocation
Sosa left Cuba in the early 1990s, moving first to Quito, Ecuador, where he immersed himself in the folkloric traditions of Esmeraldas, a region known for its African heritage and marimba music.
He then relocated to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, before settling in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1995, where he quickly became a vital force in the local Latin jazz scene with his innovative compositions and percussive piano style.
Eventually, Sosa established his base in Barcelona, Spain.
Musical Style and Influences
Sosa’s music is deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions but is equally shaped by European classical composers (such as Chopin, Bartók, and Satie), jazz greats (Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett), and Cuban jazz pioneers like Chucho Valdés and Irakere.
His work is characterized by a blend of jazz improvisation, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and global musical elements, often incorporating piano, Rhodes piano, and marimba.
Discography and Collaborations
Sosa began releasing albums under his own name in the mid-1990s, primarily on his own Otá label.
He has collaborated with a wide range of international artists, including:
Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu
Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita
Percussionist Adam Rudolph
NDR Bigband (North German Radio Bigband)
Notable projects include the album Ceremony with the NDR Bigband, which won the 10th Independent Music Awards (IMAs) in the Jazz Album category in 2011.
Recognition and Awards
Sosa has received multiple Grammy Award nominations, including four as of 2020, three of which were in the Latin Jazz category.
He is widely recognized for his innovative approach to jazz and world music, and for his ability to bridge diverse musical cultures.
Current Activity
Sosa remains active as a performer, composer, and bandleader, continuing to tour internationally and release new music.
Summary Table
| Key Fact | Details ||-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Birth | April 10, 1965, Camagüey, Cuba || Main Instruments | Piano, Rhodes piano, marimba || Genres | Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz, world jazz || Education | Escuela Nacional de Música, Instituto Superior de Arte (Havana) || Years Active | 1995–present || Notable Groups | Tributo, XL Talla Extra || Major Collaborations | Paolo Fresu, Seckou Keita, Adam Rudolph, NDR Bigband, Xiomara Laugart || Awards | Multiple Grammy nominations, 10th IMA Jazz Album (Ceremony) || Label | Otá || Current Base | Barcelona, Spain |
Sosa’s career is marked by a commitment to musical exploration, cultural fusion, and a deep respect for both his Afro-Cuban roots and the global jazz tradition.
