La Santa Cecilia Returns to Skirball Cultural Center, 8/23

Los Angeles-based, Grammy-nominated, La Santa Cecilia returns to the Skirball Cultural Center as part of the sixteenth annual Sunset Concerts series on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 8:00 PM. Named after the patron saint of music, La Santa Cecilia exemplifies the modern-day creative hybrid. When the group was founded,  the six members—guitarist Gloria Estrada, accordion player Jose “Pepe” Carlos, bassist Alex Bendana, percussionist Miguel Ramirez, drummer Caitlin Moss, and electrifying lead singer La Marisoul - had already known each other from playing in the same bands, attending the same schools, and showing up at one another’s events. Together, they combine up-tempo South American rhythms like cumbia and bossa nova, the unmistakable sounds of bolero and tango, Afro-Cuban percussion, and rock with jazz inflections. The band's sound is accentuated by La Marisoul's hauntingly strong and sensual voice, delivering messages of love, loss, and heartbreak. La Santa Cecilia’s latest EP, Noche y Citas, garnered a 2011 Latin Grammy nomination for the track “La Negra,” produced by four-time Grammy and eight-time Latin Grammy-winning producer and engineer Sebastian Krys.

The Skirball Cultural Center’s Sunset Concerts, curated by Skirball Vice President of Programs, Jordan Peimer, offers community concerts free of charge representing music from around the globe in the Skirball’s scenic central courtyard. The 2012 series began with Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga (July 26), and continues with the West Coast premiere of The Alaev Family (August 2); West Coast premiere of Orquesta Sarabia under the direction of Roberto Rodriguez (August 9); West Coast premiere of De Temps Antan (August 16); La Santa Cecilia (August 23); and world premiere of Eric Bibb’s String Band (August 30).

For each live performance, the expansive outdoor space is transformed into an intimate, celebratory gathering. Concertgoers arrive early to dine under the stars, visit the museum galleries, and explore the Skirball’s spectacular architecture and hillside setting. Then, as the performers take the stage, festivities spill out into the aisles and music lovers of all ages sing along and take to the dance floor.

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-4500 * www.skirball.org