Ernesto Marichales & Telajeta
Marichales's work spans across the Latin and jazz spectrum, having worked among others with the likes of Larry Harlow and Cheo Feliciano as well touring regularly with some of the top names of the fresh UK jazz scene such as Jordan Rakei and Ashley Henry. His ensemble Telajeta, winners of 2 LUKAS Awards in 2017, are the first Venezuelan jazz ensemble to become part of the British Library Sound Archive; a daring new take on Venezuelan and Latin American folk by a quintet of London-based musicians including 2 from Caracas. The band was formed in 2016 launching their first album “Musica de Venezuela in London” in a sold out concert at the Bolivar Hall. The album includes some of the most important songs of the Venezuelan repertoire; songs by composers such as Simon Díaz and Otilio Galíndez are rearranged in a unique way. Telajeta blends the traditional melodies of Venezuela with a unique, mesmerizing new sound that includes the Norwegian arctic folk influence of vocalis Ashild Bjorkeng Haugen, giving a whole new dimension to the fusion.
Aleph Aguiar
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Aleph Aguiar is known as one of the most virtuosic, versatile guitarists of the London jazz and funk jam scene; before his arrival to Europe, he toured with Venezuelan foklore band Luango and recorded with Venezuelan folk legends Simón Díaz and Cecilia Todd. In London he sessions with a wide range of artists including Heidi Vogel and Andy Watts, as well as working as a producer and scoring and composing for film; His critically acclaimed album Pataruco (2016) reveals a virtuosic jazz take on the traditional Venezuelan songbook.
Luzmira Zerpa
Luzmira Zerpa is a vocalist, cuatro player and composer best known for her solo appearances as well as for her role as lead vocalist in Afro-Latin funk fusion band Family Atlántica. Born and raised in the countryside town of Sanare, she grew up playing and singing in folk percussion ensembles; she has since toured across Latin America and Europe with her singing, and shared the stage with the likes of Manu Chao. Her characteristic, powerful voice and joyful charisma transports the listener to distant lands.
Baldomero Verdú
Multi-instrumentalist Baldomero Verdú hails from a family of musicians from the area of Barlovento, one of the most musically prolific areas of Venezuela. Since relocating to London he has toured extensively with Venezuelan folk-rock band Guaco and now works with Latin Funk fusion band Animanz.