Daymé Arocena for La Linea festival

London Latin music festival La Linea returns this April. London is now widely recognised as one of the world’s great Latin music cities, home to many artists and a hungry and diverse audience. The festival has been running since 2001 and takes place in a range of venues across central London presenting music that ranges from Brazilian hip-hop to fado, new Cuban sounds, ska and Balkan-infused cumbia, and all points between.

As part of this year’s La Linea Festival young Cuban vocalist Daymé Arocena will peform on Thursday 21st April at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. Still in her early twenties the multi-faceted and talented singer is fast gaining and international profile since performing with Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura mix project, which has strived to present and re-imagine Cuban music. April also marks the release of ‘One Takes’, Arocena’s second album for Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings featuring, as the title suggests, a selection of obscure favourites re-interpreted with just one take. The album sees Arocena backed by legendary Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes and his band and has already gained major traction on Jazz FM with exclusive airplay.

Daymé’s performance will be preceded by a screening of the film ‘Havana Club Rumba Sessions: La Clave.’ The latest chapter in the longstanding relationship between Gilles Peterson and the music of Cuba, this feature-length documentary by Charlie Inman sees him explore the roots of rumba. Featuring interviews with key figures across the island's musical generations, it provides an insight into rumba's continued significance in a country where a carefully preserved past has long sat side-by-side with innovation. 

La Linea 2016 line-up:

• Sun 17 April - Ariwo & A Guy Called Gerald - The Pickle Factory
• Tues 19 April - Ana Moura – Cadogan Hall 
• Thurs 21 April - Daymé Arocena & screening of 'Havana Club Rumba Sessions: La Clave' – Rich Mix
• Fri 22 April - La Yegros + Gizmo Varillas – Rich Mix
• Sun 24 April - Criolo & Baloji – Koko
• Mon 25 April - Calexico & Gaby Moreno – Barbican
• Weds 27 April - Chico Trujillo & Rokola – Electric Ballroom
• Thurs 28 April - Adan (Adanowsky) & Xavi y Los Imanes - Rich Mix