Events
Lulaworld 2025: Joaquín Núñez & Habana Safari Release “Ruta de La Clave”
Don’t miss an incredible night of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin folk as Joaquín Núñez & Habana Safari are joined by special guest pianist Dayramir González, direct from New York City. Opening set by Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Natasha Roldán. Presented by Lula Music and Arts Centre, Latin Jazz Net and Lulaworld Records.
7:00 PM – Doors open for dinner and drinks
8:00 PM – Natasha Roldán
8:45 PM – Joaquín Núñez & Habana Safari with special guest Dayramir González
$35 ADVANCE + HST
Tickets are general admission and do not guarantee seating
Join us before the show to enjoy Lula’s tropical inspired dinner and drinks menu
Dinner reservations available at lula.ca/reservations
Joaquín Núñez & Habana Safari
Drummer, percussionist, bandleader, composer and producer Joaquín Núñez was born and raised in Cuba. His early inspiration was his musically gifted father Porfirio Núñez, a former singer & guitarist with Brisas de Nipe, one of the oldest Cuban orchestras.
A master rumbero, Núñez is a leading figure on Toronto’s thriving Latin jazz and Afro Cuban scene, performing and recording with many Juno and Grammy nominees and winners such as Jane Bunnett, Hilario Durán, Eddie Bullen & Bill King.
Ruta de La Clave, Núñez’ debut release with his all-star Habana Safari project provides a retrospective of Cuban music and its fusion of European classical with African rhythms and jazz. Featuring the virtuosic playing of contemporary Cuban jazz pianist Dayramir González, the title track—and the album as a whole—draw a direct line to the bebop era of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, highlighting the Cuban rhythms embedded in modern jazz. Joaquin performs both drums and percussion throughout the album, realizing musical ideas he has refined over years of experimentation and exploration.
Dayramir González
Dayramir began his professional career as a pianist and composer with former Irakere member, Oscar Valdes’ Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble Diákara at the age of 16. Since winning Havana’s JoJazz festival in 2004 and 2005, Dayramir has gone from winning three Cubadisco awards for his 2007 debut album “Dayramir & Habana enTRANCé” to becoming Berklee College of Music’s first Cuban national “Presidential Scholarship” recipient to performing in 15,000-seat stadiums with legends like Chucho and Bebo Valdés and headlining Carnegie Hall, representing the young generation of Afro-Cuban jazz.
The culmination of his journey as a young Havana-native who continues and brings the Afro-Cuban music legacy to New York is synthesized in his latest album “The Grand Concourse,” a name inspired by the thoroughfare that runs through the Bronx and a concept that reflects the uncommonly dynamic range of pieces from the pulsating West African bass motif found in Situaciones en 12/8 to the contemporary take on the classical Cuban tradition of the late 19th century to the haunting orchestral jazz ballad of Blood Brothers. Dayramir is making his mark as a leading international composer, orchestrator, bandleader and pianist.
Natasha Roldán
Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Natasha Roldán travels with her voice through the landscapes of Latin American folk, jazz, and traditional Colombian rhythms with an alternative touch. Her music shares stories about migration, revolution, and love, weaving emotionally poignant narratives that invite reflection on the search for freedom, self-love, and resistance. The delicacy of her voice carries a monumental strength, that with each word, paints familiar landscapes for migrants who after attending her intimate concerts, often tell her, ‘you made me cry.’
In 2024, Natasha held top spots on the TOP 20 charts of Colombia’s National Radio for 10 weeks, and her latest album, Ya No Estoy Aquí, earned her nominations for Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year at the Latin Awards Canada. Her record release was celebrated with a Sold-Out show at the Small World Music Centre in Toronto, a full-house showcase at RPM Records in Bogotá, Colombia, and an appearance on Colombia’s National TV. In 2023, she was selected as one of RBC’s Music Launchpad and Small World Music Incubator Artists, as well as a showcase artist at Folk Music Ontario among other accolades. Natasha continues to share her music in Canada and abroad connecting new sounds with diverse audiences.
Buika Returns to Canada: A Latin Grammy-Winning Voice Like No Other
Toronto, ON & Montreal, QC — AB Collective International proudly presents the return of internationally acclaimed Spanish vocalist Buika to Canada for two powerful concerts this October.
Named by NPR as one of the “50 greatest voices of all time,” Buika is a genre-defying artist whose music fuses flamenco, soul, jazz and Afro-Latin sounds with poetic intensity. She is a Latin Grammy winner, has been nominated for Grammy Awards in multiple categories, and has shared stages with legends such as Chucho Valdés, Anoushka Shankar, and Carlos Santana.
This fall, her unmistakable voice will resound once more in two of Canada’s most iconic venues:
October 18, 2025 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto
October 19, 2025 – L’Olympia, Montreal
Buika’s performances are emotional journeys — raw, elegant, and deeply human. Her art transcends genres and borders, delivering truth through music.
Presented by AB Collective International, these concerts are more than shows: they are moments of soulful connection and cultural resonance, featuring one of the most expressive vocalists of our time.
(TORONTO – May 14, 2025) – One month today, Saturday, June 14, 2025, Massey Hall presents Oscar Peterson at 100: A Canadian Celebration featuring an all-star roster of musicians coming together to celebrate international Jazz legend, Oscar Peterson’s 100 birthday. New additions to line-up include two Canadian Jazz legends, Dave Younge and Oliver Jones.
Dave Young and Oliver Jones will join the previously announced acclaimed Canadian musicians on the legendary Allan Slaight Stage at Massey Hall: Amanda Tosoff, Andrew McAnsh, Caity Gyorgy, Chet Doxas, Chris Butcher, Colleen Allen, Jim Doxas, Jocelyn Gould, Jodi Proznick, Joe Sealy, Kevin Turcotte, Laila Biali, Lex French, Mark McLean, Matt Woroshyl, Mike Downes, Reg Schwager, Robi Botos, Sean Nimmons, Taurey Butler, and Thompson Egbo-Egbo.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
WWW.MASSEYHALL.COM
OR 416-872-4255
Oscar Peterson at 100: A Canadian Celebration will feature music from throughout Peterson’s near seven-decade career, with a mix of both his original compositions and jazz standards, performed with love by an eclectic mix of artists, all of whom have drawn inspiration from Peterson’s immeasurable legacy.
The evening, co-produced by Céline Peterson and JUNO Award-winning drummer, composer, educator, and the evening’s Musical Director, Jim Doxas, was born from the pair’s desire to curate an evening that embodied the excellence that Peterson led throughout his life.
Tickets to Oscar Peterson at 100, A Canadian Celebration are available now by visiting www.masseyhall.com or calling the box office at 416-872-4255.
Dave Young Bio: Order of Canada recipient, Dr. Dave Young C.M., is one of Canada’s most celebrated and valued bassists, composers, arrangers, and educators. Originally from Winnipeg, Dave has made his name known on both the Canadian and international stages in both jazz and classical music for the last 5 decades, and along the way has worked with some of the world’s top artists in various fields. Known for his elegant tone, impeccable time, and immense knowledge of musical history, Dave has been a first-call bassist for the likes of Oscar Peterson, Lenny Breau, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, and countless others.
Oliver Jones Bio: With 25 albums under his belt, Dr. Jones has toured the world playing for audiences across the United States, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, China and Africa. Having performed at major jazz festivals and concerts alongside acclaimed orchestras, Dr. Jones has been recognized for his work across the globe. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Québec and has received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Oscar Peterson Award, the SOCAN Special Lifetime Award, multiple Félix Awards and two JUNO Awards. He has six doctorates.
Dr. OSCAR EMMANUEL PETERSON, is one of the most prolific jazz pianists of all time, lending his name and talents to more than 500 recordings and earning 8 GRAMMY Awards (including Lifetime Achievement). Born in Montréal’s Little Burgundy, his immense talent, fierce determination and profound love for the artform caught the attention of jazz music’s greatest impresario and founder of Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP), Norman Granz. After accepting an invitation to perform as a surprise guest at a JATP show at Carnegie Hall at just twenty-four years old, Peterson would continue to tour with the group, performing with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Roy Eldridge, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Lester Young, and Lionel Hampton.
To learn more about Oscar Peterson and #OscarPeterson100, visit OscarPeterson.com.
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, the rhythms of Latin America take over Luminato at Harbourfront in this day-long celebration curated by Toronto’s beloved Lula Music & Arts Centre. From powerful salsa to groundbreaking fusions of traditional and contemporary sounds, this free event brings together revolutionary artists who are reshaping Latin music.
Get ready to dance with La Pambelé, as members of this cutting-edge Colombian orchestra are joined by top Canadian players to deliver this specially curated presentation of international salsa brava, bursting with the spirit of resistance and revolution. Move to the innovative sounds of Kombilesa Mi, who blend ancestral instruments with contemporary beats, rapping in both Spanish and Palenquero—the unique language of San Basilio de Palenque, the first free Black community in the Americas.
Between sets, Toronto’s own Sonic Sancocho keeps the energy high with vinyl-only DJ sets that span the spectrum of Latin music. Join dance workshops led by international instructors, explore market vendors, and discover why Latin music continues to move the world.
Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just love to move, this family-friendly celebration invites everyone to be part of the rhythm. More artists, workshops, and activities to be announced.
DIOGO RAMOS | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | CONCERT STAGE | FREE
Meet Diogo Ramos, singer-songwriter hailing from São Paulo, Brazil. Rooted in the rich tradition of Brazilian popular musicians, Diogo has honed his craft since the age of 13, specializing in guitar. With 25 years of professional experience, he has contributed to 20 albums as both composer and producer. In 2023, Diogo launched his latest album ‘Cabaça,’ a vibrant blend of electro-samba-funk designed to get you dancing! ‘Cabaça’ fuses samba funk and electronic hip-hop, featuring lyrics in Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole, capturing the essence of beach vibes and modern urbanity. His EP ‘Raro Efeito’ serves as a musical statement and a tribute to Montreal’s multicultural artistic scene.
Crafted in collaboration with director Boogát, ‘Cabaça’ features brass arrangements recorded in Brazil by João Lenhari, Cuca Ferreira, and Douglas Antunes of Bixiga 70. Vocal arrangements by Bianca Rocha and Flavia Nascimento, mixed by Jean Massicotte in Canada and Andrés Oddone in Mexico. Special guests include Bïa and Imposs in ‘Samba do Boncy,’ and Boogát in ‘Sua Mão Direita.’ This music was composed and produced during the 2020/2021 pandemic, with the hope for a civilization filled with music and peace.
KOMBILESA MI | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | CONCERT STAGE | FREE
Nestled in the northern coastal region of Colombia, San Basilio de Palenque as it is colloquially known, was founded in the 17th century, by the first free slaves (Cimarrones) of the Americas. It has pioneered a distinct mix of Afro-Colombian culture. Locals speak their own Creole language called “Palenquero”, a blend of African Bantu, Portuguese dialects, French and English. Kombilesa Mi experiments with the instruments created by their ancestors (and introduced to them when they were young), layering them between new sounds. Over traditional percussion, handmade steel drums of his own design and marímbula, Kombilesa Mi rhymes and raps in Spanish and the traditional Palenquero. Kombilesa has performed at the Kennedy Center, NPR’s Tiny Desk, the Festival Petronio Alvarez and SXSW.
LA PAMBELÉ | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | CONCERT STAGE | FREE
La Pambelé is a Colombian orchestra that embodies the essence of heavy guaguanco, salsa brava that resonates with revolution and resistance of migrants to the big cities. Their influences include names such as Markolino Dimond, Eddie Palmieri, Edy Martínez, El Pantera, Ismael Miranda, Quintana, Rivera, and the Afro- Antillean rhythms that flow from the Colombian coasts to the capital, Bogotá, the epicenter of inspiration and conspiracy for this orchestra.
Source: Luminato at Harbourfront
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