El Paso audiences will get to see, hear and groove to an original blend of two high-energy musical traditions presented by Lola Productions at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at The University of Texas at El Paso’s Magoffin Auditorium.
Tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 for the performance by the Gypsy Allstars Project. A recent all-star collaboration in India featuring Gipsy Kings’ family members Mario Reyes and Georges Reyes spawned the exciting new project called the Gypsy Allstars. This new musical adventure explores the origins of gypsy culture in Rajasthan, India and saw the gypsies return to their ancestral home for a Discovery Channel special, merging Indian and Gypsy rhythms.
The Gypsy Allstars have been hand-picked by Cedric Leonardi, who grew up with the Gipsy Kings and their families in Montpellier’s ‘la cite gely’ and has had the privilege of performing with them as their drummer. The Gypsy Allstars lineup sees the gypsies joining forces with Indian musicians to add an exciting fusion sound of Gipsy Kings favorites and the exotic blend of indo-gypsy music.
Included in the Gypsy Allstars project are: Puerto Rican virtuoso bassist Oskar Cartaya; tabla prodigy and lifelong student of Zakir Hussein, Salar Nader; and the world’s great modern flamenco performer, Manuel Gutierrez. Bollywood meets Bamboleo when Charanjeet Virdi joins Mario and George Reyes on vocals, adding beauty and depth to the gypsy rumbas. Alfredo Caceres plays mandolin and flamenco guitar.
The Gipsy Kings’ rumba emerged out of the south of France in the early 1980s when the Reyes and Baliardos families set the world on fire with their infectious and sensual rhythms—sounds that were original and breathtaking. The Gypsy Allstars are the next generation of this musical lineage, exploring new territory with a global sound.
International Jazz Review calls them “The best thing since the Gipsy Kings with a refreshing new twist.”
Tickets are available at the UTEP Ticket Center at 915-747-5234 or through ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Tickets are $34 plus service fees.