Our Alone Together series is a celebration of spontaneous creation, presenting exclusive and unrehearsed duo performances captured live in the intimacy of the SFJAZZ Center. Whether they’re longtime collaborators or meeting on stage for the first time, these world class artists are improvisors of the highest level, creating powerful musical dialogues in the moment.

Pianist and SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director Omar Sosa and violinist and vocalist Yilian Cañizares paint a portrait in sound with their joint composition “Breath of Our Homeland” — a phrase Sosa has used to describe his musical connection to his Cuban roots.

For this performance, Sosa revisits the musical alchemy he achieved in collaboration with Cuban violinist and singer Yilian Cañizares on their joint 2018 Otá Records album, “Aguas,” an enchanting release inspired by jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms and modern classical music that is dedicated to water, the life-giving source of existence, and Oshun, the Goddess of Love and Mistress of Rivers in the Lucumí tradition of Yoruba.

A world traveler who carries the verdant sounds and traditions of his native Cuba wherever he goes, seven-time GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY nominee Omar Sosa has forged powerful creative alliances around the globe. Born in Camagüey, Cuba and now a resident of Mallorca, Spain, the renowned jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader is celebrated for blending Afro-Cuban, Latin jazz, and global influences.

Personnel:

Omar Sosa: piano
Yilian Cañizares: violin, vocals