Pianist and composer Michele Rosewoman’s New Yor-Uba ensemble serves as a major forum for collaboration between masters of contemporary jazz and Cuban folkloric music. A fearless band leader, the Mutual Mentorship for Musicians 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winner has blossomed in new directions while remaining firmly rooted in tradition. Repertoire features Rosewoman’s original compositions and visionary arrangements and incorporates a large spectrum of Cuban spiritually-based music, including Yorùbá (Nigeria), Arará (Dahomey), Abakuá (Calabar), son, guiro, and rumba — uniquely Cuban musical forms. New Yor-Uba's concept and sound remain vital as Rosewoman continues to enhance the ensemble’s repertoire with new music and personnel.

Image: Jazz at Lincoln Center