Bobi CÈspedes
Bobi's
voice is "...an instrument equally capable of summoning
orisha and filling dance floors."
Folk Roots, London, England
AFRO-CUBAN FOLKLORIST
Summary: Over thirty years direct involvement in Afro-Caribbean Culture, Art and Tradition; Priestess and IyanIfa in the Yoruba-Lucumi Spiritual Tradition; accomplished historian, lecturer, theatrical director, teacher and storyteller; acclaimed folkloric singer, dancer and percussionist.
Areas of Expertise
Research Projects:
*Researched Apatakis (repositories of the Spiritual Tradition) at the Yoruba Theological Archministry with Yoruba-Lucumi priest, John Mason, to select, apply, and designate appropriate songs and rhythms for The Suite for Iya, a Symphonic/Orchestral Production.
*Studied at the Yoruba Association of Cuba and La Regla Museum in Havana, Cuba to develop historically accurate presentations addressing Yoruba concepts of life and health, Yoruba-Lucumi rituals and ceremonies, the concept of the soul in Nigeria and the Diaspora, as well as traditional music, dance and art.
*Studied Yoruba Mythology and Lucumi Moral Values with Yoruba-Lucumi priest, Nilo Tandron for lectures and position papers.
*Studied Apatakis, Traditional Songs, Lucumi Language, as well as Traditional Philosophy and Values with Lazaro Ros, director of the National Folkloric Ensemble of Cuba and Yoruba-Lucumi priest in Mexico City, Mexico.
*Studied Traditional Dance, Song and the Politics of Cuba and the relationship to the Yoruba-Lucumi Tradition in Havana and Oriente Cuba.
Lectures:
The Role of Western Medicine and it's Relationship to the Traditional Yoruba-Lucumi Practitioner, for the Medical Staff and Interns at Children's Hospital, Oakland CA.
Song and Dance in the Lucumi Spiritual Tradition and Afro-Cuban Reality University of Wisconsin at Madison and the Milwaukee School District.
The Role of Women in the Yoruba Lucumi Tradition, California State University Sacramento.
The Relationship of the Congo, Anago and Yoruba Traditions to the Afro-Cuban Experience, New York City and Canada.
Lecture/Demonstration Projects:
Developed and implemented lecture/demonstrations focusing on Afro-Cuban Folkloric Music and Culture with the teaching ensemble of Conjunto CÈspedes at:
*Oakland Unified School District, Rhythm in Schools Project; 1993 to present
*University of Wisconsin, Madison; 1997
*Oberlin College, Ohio; 1997
*University of Illinois, Urbana; 1997
*University of Nebraska; 1997
*St Lawrence College, Canton NY; 1997
*Alverno College, Wisconsin; 1997
*University of Miami of Ohio; 1997
*Miami Dade county Community College, Miami Florida; 1995
*International University, Miami, Florida; 1995
*University of Michigan; 1995
*University of San Diego, San Diego CA; 1994
Theatrical Production/Writing/Residencies
*Wrote and Produced From Cuba to the Congo a musical/theatrical piece linking the Congolese Cultural Tradition to its expression in Cuba.
*Commissioned to write and produce Skin Talk by City Celebrations a Multi-Cultural production featuring a culturally diverse group of female traditional drummers.
*Co-Director, Choreographer, Costume Designer, Lead Vocalist and Dancer Ò El Teatro Coco Santo, featuring Afro Cuban and Afro-Brazilian expressions of folkloric music and dance.
*Adapted and produced The Deer Woman of OwoÓ, Oshun and the Peacock and The Divining of the Cowries, all Yoruba-Lucumi Apataki for the Grace Child Development CenterÌs Cultural Component.
*California Arts Council Artist in Residence at Moscone School, San Francisco, CA
*Artist in Residence, Jingle Town School, Oakland, CA
*Conceptualized and produced Carnavalito at Hunter's Point Mardi Gras for children and adults in the BayView/Hunter's Point community of San Francisco, CAFolkloric Performance:
*Co-Founder/Director, Conjunto CÈspedes: Co-produced the Conjunto's first album Guira Con Son, featured lead singer and percussionist on Una Sola Casa, Vivito y Coleando and Flores.
*Co-founder of Trio CÈspedes
*Artistic Director and Founder of Siguaralla- an Afro-Cuban Folkloric musical group.
*Master song teacher in the Yoruba-Lucumi Tradition
Awards:
*Conjunto CÈspedes albums Una Sola Casa and Vivito y Coleando have each won the National Independent Record Producer's Association's INDIE awards for Best Latin Recording
Click on a name to view an individual biography/resume.
1) Bobi CÈspedes- composition, arranging, lead vocals, percussion, co-direction.
2) Guillermo Céspedes-composition, arranging, piano, chekere, Cuban tres guitar, musical direction.
3) Jesus Diaz- composition, arranging, congas, background vocals, percussion section leader.
4) Julius Melendez- arranging, lead trumpet, section leader.
5) Lichi Fuentes- composition, arranging, percussion, chekere, 6 string guitar, background vocals.
6) Jeff Lewis- second trumpet, chekere.
7) Raul Navarrete- trombone.
8) Mara Fox- trombone, chekere.
9) Rahsaan Federicks- bass, background vocals, percussion.
10) Eric Rangel- timbales, background vocals.
11) Oscar Soltero- bongoes, chekere.
12) Oscar Autie- Sound Engineer.
