Luzmira Zerpa: Women Make Music
On her debut solo album Luzmira Zerpa (Family Atlantica) will celebrate the folk music of Venezuela with a journey through the Amazon, Orinoco plains, desert, mountains, valleys and the coast. An exploration of the music Luzmira grew up with the album will feature the harp music of los Llanos (the plains), the exquisite violin music of her home town, the percussive-heavy sounds of Tamunangue, an explosive Venezuelan folk ritual, plus Afro Venezuelan songs from the coast.
As the lead singer of Family Atlantica (Soundway Records) she is one of the most celebrated Latin American artists in the UK. Her background is steeped in the rich lineage of Venezuelan folk music, and she plays traditional instruments such as the cuatro (Venezuelan four-string guitar). Having collaborated with Marshall Allen (Sun Ra Arkestra), Orlando Julius and Mulatu Astatke, Luzmira has played everywhere from the Royal Festival Hall to the Roundhouse, Glastonbury to WOMAD, performing alongside Manu Chao and the Buena Vista Social Club.
On this album Luzmira is supported by the cream of London’s South American musicians: from Venezuela percussionists Baldomero Verdu and Ernesto Marichales; from Colombia, guitarist Camilo Menjura, percussionist Emeris Solis and harpist Diego Laverde, plus violinist Ana Csergo (Romania/Italy). Produced by Sam Jones, whose recent work on Siti Muharam’s “Siti of Unguja” saw widespread critical acclaim from The Guardian (Global album of the month) and Songlines (African album of the year). The album will be release with Mais Um label.