What have we been up to?

August 18, 2022 oshunschild Musical Muses 0

The last year, we have been working towards a new album. We have had two recording sessions so far, and will be finishing recording in mid September. Please watch this space for more info! As part of the current project we worked again with Ricardo Axe musician and Candomble practitioner and also Sheena Richardson aka Ajibola who is based in Trinidad, in order to produce a track dedicated to Oshun. We are all really looking forward to the remix produced by Raf Riley.

Sheena Richardson “Ajibola” left and Ricardo Axe below right.

Since September last year, we have been recording as a small group. Our core members have been Jennyfer Parnasse, Liz Gre, Mish Aminoff, Sam Mercer, Dan Greifer, Sonia Kounasso, JImena Pardo and Michelle Brioullet. However for the summer we opened our door again to new and old members alike. We will be recording three numbers with the larger group.

Behind the Scenes with The London Lucumi Choir – 2022 update
Here is our resident photographer’s update in photos

We were so delighted and happy to be invited by BOMBA ESTEREO to join them and Cuban/Canadian based Duo OKAN in their London gig at Somerset house. I will be posting a separate entry dedicated to that fantastic gig. We were so happy to be joined by ex Choir member Juanita Euka who has just released her debut album:

End of the Night at Somerset House with Bomba Estero and Okan a 2,700 strong public in the background

We had our first live gig after the pandemic infront of an audience thanks to Whitechapel Gallery’s Nocturnal Creatures event in Aldgate Square. We featured songs for our forthcoming new album featuring lead vocals of Jennyfer Parnasse and it was so amazing to join with our Bata Players! We missed them!

https://www.facebook.com/TheLondonLucumiChoir/videos/598692631644623

Agostino Quaranta for Whitechapel Gallery: Nocturnal Creatures 2022
The London Lucumi Choir post their gig at Aldgate Square.

We cannot wait to finish recording and release our new album with more performing opportunities ahead! Thanks for watching. Follow us on Instagram, twitter, TikTok and Facebook for regular updates!

About oshunschild 24 Articles
I am a London based Iyalosha, ( Priest in the Lucumi tradition) crowned with Ochun; who is passionate about the arts I Grew up in London, mixed background, third generation musician. I went to study music in Cuba in 1986, since then I have done many things. I was one of the first Salsa Dance Teachers in London in 1989, before it became the sport of a million suburban housewives; formed Orchestra Salsa Y Ache in late 80's, toured and did many gigs for seven years; then formed Salsasonica which recorded with Buena Vista's Guajiro Mirabal. I have taught Cuban Music to children. I have also organised five musical trips to Cuba. I Have written about Latin Music, and I am passionate about singing and encouraging everyone to sing. I formally ran "singing for the terrified" at the Mary Ward Centre, in addition to a world music choir. I formed the London Lucumi Choir in 2006 which has performed all over the UK, in major theatres such as the Barbican, the Southbank and Union Chapel, Rich Mix, The British Museum and the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. In addition, we have performed at festivals such as La Linea and Bestival. We have performed on Radio and Television and have consistently been nominated in the Lukas awards, where we were second in our category in 2018 ( for contribution to Latin Music and Arts). I Have been a practitioner of Santeria, also known as Lucumi since 1986. Between the years 1991 and 2005 I received My Elekes, Warriors and Olokun. In 2005 I received my Ikofafun ( Ifa) and on February 9 2006 I became initiated as a Priestess of Ochun in Luyano, Havana. My Branch of the religion is La Pimienta. I was born from Obatala and Yemaya. My Iyatobi Oshainle passed this year and Omi Laibo is my Ojubona. I received Pinardo with Baba Funke and Omi Saide in Havana in July 2018. I run an active Ile (religious house/Orisha temple) In addition to running the Choir and guiding Godchildren in the Lucumi faith. I am also a diviner of the Dilogun. I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a passion for art and nature, good music, genealogy and travel. I enjoy writing, beading and embroidery, when I have the time! PS I also have adhd which predicts that I will decorate the entire house with different colours every few years!