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This "folkloric" ensemble of musicians perform traditional music with song lyrics from the heartland of the Island of Puerto Rico. The highly energetic sounds are fused into a tapestry of golden, silky notes to soothe the Latino soul.

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The Capital Region's own Sensemaya is dedicated to popular music from Cuba, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil fusing their hot Latin dance rhythms with the cool sophistication of jazz improvisation.  The repertoire includes funkified interpretations of classic salsa to originals written in the revolutionary timba style of Cuba.  Their own Latin jazz compositions include a variety of styles which make you get out of your seat and dance.

David Gleason leads this acclaimed Latin jazz ensemble.  He has performed with RumbaNaMa, The Boston Latin Band, The Either/Orchestra, Altiplano, Mojive, and the Kinewe African Drum Ensemble as well as reknown musicians Laurel Masse, Fred Wesley, Danil Perez, and John Fedchock.

David Gleason - piano and vocals, Tim Williams - saxes, flute, and vocals, Pete Seeney - drum set, Tony Garcia - congas, Erik Johnson - bass, Steve Lambert - trumpet, Walter Ramos - vocals and percussion, and Tony Garcia - bongos and campana

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Obbini is Yoruban (Nigeria) for woman, and Tumbao in Afro-Cuban music is the infectious, rhythmic beat performed on the bass, piano, or congas that won't let you sit still.  And that is the whole point of Obbini Tumbao's music.  The band's rhythm section—the congas, timbales, bongos, piano and bass—drives the frontline vocals and brass and gets everyone on their feet and dancing.

The dyanamic force behind the group are its two composers:  Rebecca Cline, a keyboardist from Athens, GA and Ana Norgaard (also known as Anita Quinto), a percussionist from Caracas, Venezuela.  During the summer of 2004 while on a trip Venezuela, the two realized how much they had in common and decided to form a group that could play anything from the classic Machito/Mambo Kings era through New York Salsa of the '70s to the present as well as their own originals.

Fronted by the area's most in-demand lead vocalists and the two dynamic co-leaders, Obbini Tumbao leaves audiences feeling enthralled and hungry for more.  Obbini Tumbao has gained the loyal affection of the Boston-area dancing and salsa-music-loving public performing regularly to sold-out audiences.

Musical influences cited by Cline and Quinto:  Los Van Van; Dimension Latina; Alfredo Rodriguez;
Los Munequitos; Manolito y Su Trabuco; Oscar D'Leon; Juan Luis Guerra; Eddie Palmieri; Jimmy Bosch; Celia Cruz; Johnny Pacheco, Ray Barreto; Pupi y los que Son Son; Isaac Delgado; and many more.

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Celia Cruz, born Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso in La Habana, Cuba, rose from humble beginnings to earn international recognition as the "Queen of Salsa."  She was one of the most successful, influential, and beloved Latina performers of the 20th century.

"La Guarachera de Cuba", as she would also be known, started singing on daily radio broadcasts in Havana during the late 1940's.  Her big break came when the singer for the Cuban orchestra Sonora Matancera left.  Celia Cruz stepped in and for the next 15 years toured with them throughout Cuba and South America.

When Fidel Castro took over Cuba, Cruz and her husband Pedro Knight became citizens of the U.S., and ultimately, the world.

In the 60's she teamed up with Tito Puente.  In the 70's she worked with Johnny Pacheco and joined the Fania All-Stars increasing her reputation throughout Europe, Africa, and South America.  Cruz continued touring in the 1980's giving concerts and appearing on television shows in Latin America and Europe.  

Up until her death in 2003, Cruz poured out records.  Her body of work includes 23 gold albums, 6 Grammy awards, and in 2004, the posthumous award at the Premois Lo Nuestro for best Salsa release of the year.

Anissa Gathers, originally from New York, was raised in Puerto Rico.  At the age of 17, she returned to NYC and soon found her career in salsa.

Reaching thousands of people with her unique gifts of salsa dancing and singing, Anissa has always been drawn to the music of Celia Cruz.  During her tenure with MESTIZO COMPANY (NY), she realized her vocals were similar to "La Reina".

She starred in productions of CELIA THE MUSICAL in New York, Miami, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Chicago.   This year she was one of the lead singers of "OUR LATIN THING" Tribute to Fania All Star project in New York.  Last year, she performed the lead role in "THE MAGIC OF SALSA KINGDOM" in Manchester, England, and also sang with Tito Nieves and his 35th anniversary concert in Centro de Bellas Artes in Puerto Rico.

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