Jane Bunnett and Maqueque: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

July 12, 2016 by FELIX CONTRERAS • Jane Bunnett knows a few things about Cuban music. She and her husband, trumpeter Larry Kramer, have been traveling to the island from their home base of Toronto for more than 30 years. They've collaborated with musicians there, as well as back home in Canada and on tours around the globe.

So it should come as no surprise that when Bunnett chose to perform with some of the top young women musicians from the island, she'd choose some of the best of their generation. As you can sense from this video, the members of Maqueque are conservatory-trained, but also schooled in Afro-Cuban tradition.

If you want to hear what Cuba sounds like today, then be sure to listen. It's a pleasure to watch and listen as Jane Bunnett and Maqueque share their passion with the world.

Jane Bunnett & Maqueque is available now:

Set List:
"Little Feet"
"Maqueque"
"25 New Moves"

Credits:
Producers: Felix Contreras, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Colin Marshall, Maia Stern; Editor: Claire Hannah Collins; Photo: NPR.

[ok_its_celeste]

Jane is a treasure, she came and did a workshop with my university jazz and was incredible when I saw her playing live the next day. Im frankly dissapointed I didn't see this sooner.

[howardmao]

Holy crap, that drummer is on fire! Pianist is pretty amazing too.

[pablokalincausky]

What a great discovery. Jane Bunnett and the Afro-Cuban sextet Maqueque are pretty amazing !!! Thanks so much for sharing. Greetings...

[reneeyoxon]

Amazing! Thanks NPR for featuring these fabulous women!

[suzanne]

Great stuff! And a bookstore too - heaven.

[yetiajasin]

AMAZING!! INCREDIBLE MUSICIANSHIP ! LOVE U LADIES!

[adamarie]

@yerba buena Maqueque (pronounced Mah-Keh-Keh) includes Yissy Garcia on drums, Melvis Santa on percussion and vocals, Dánae Olano on piano, Magdelys Savigne on batá drums and congas and Celia Jiménez on bass.

I love Janes playing, but the band is what is magic here. At least its not called the "jane bunnett band".

She's talented but approached potentially adding to a part of a long history of musical appropriation. Her band kicks so much ass tho! what amazing women!

[MorehJosiah]

Jane Bunnet is BAD AZZ!!!! Wow. The sistas are beautiful and talented. Wasn't too crazy about the slightly flat vocals but I'm excited to see them at the Jacksonville Jazz Fest Memorial Day weekend 2018. IT'S FREE!

[yerbabuena]

Please write the names of this exzellent cuban line up, beside the amazing Jane Bunnett - gracias!

[afrorap]

I've never seen somebody play a drum kit with their hands until now. All praise due lol

[MrDucehands]

For those confused, that is what killing it looks like. Great set

[soho]

Great concert by Jane Bunnett and the Afro-Cuban sextet Maqueque at The Mainstay in Rock Hall

[smasai]

What are the names of these talented young Cubans? Please include the names of the musicians whenever possible.

[eerbrev]

I love the rachmaninoff reference at 11:19 in the pianist's solo.

[C_U_R_I_E_L]

YES I LOVE THE ALL WOMEN SPEAKS TO MY HEART J. WAYS YOULL NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOUVE BEEN A FEMALE MUSICIAN WORKING PROFESSIINALLY BEFORE 2010

[julioquinones]

Una canadiense que quiere hacer lo que le es muy difícil, solo llega al 50% del feeling que se requiere para hacer esta música.

[shakazulu]

"Veinticinco movimientos y ninguno repetido"

[otissax]

Any chance you could name the other musicians not just the cultural appropriator" thanks

[ernstviauxxinstitute]

Most people don't know how to enjoy such performances, isn't it a pity?

[sdgfhsfgjmsfyhkm]

I thought she said the "late" Dave Matthews, I was like what?!?