Artists
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Artists *
Fidel Diaz Castro
Education and Career
Díaz graduated in Audiovisual Media Art from the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) in 1997. He has been a journalist, writer, and director for various publications and media outlets, including Somos Jóvenes, El Caimán Barbudo, and La Jiribilla. He has also been a member of the Hermanos Saíz Association since 1986 and has held various positions, including provincial president and member of the National Directorate.
Music and Troubadour Work
Díaz is also a musician and troubadour, and has released two personal albums, "The Voice of the Illustrated Devil" (2008) and "Los amores del Diablo Ilustrado" (2018). He has been a member of the Musicuba Company catalog and has received awards for his music, including the Cubadisco 2012 Honor Award.
Musician, Composer, Professor
Erdwin Vichot is a renowned Cuban musician, singer, and composer with a career spanning over three decades. Born in Cuba, Erdwin began his musical journey at a young age, influenced by the country's rich cultural heritage.
Throughout his career, Erdwin has participated in numerous national and international festivals, concerts and events, showcasing his talent and passion for music. He has collaborated with various artists and groups, including Albita Rodríguez, Cheo Feliciano, and Mario Darías, and has recorded multiple albums that have received critical acclaim.
Erdwin Vichot
Dimarys Aguila
A Multi-Talented Cuban Writer and Poet
Dimarys Águila García is a Cuban writer, poet, journalist, and teacher born in Güira de Melena, Artemisa, Cuba. She has made significant contributions to Cuban literature and culture, and her work has been recognized internationally.
Teaching and Community Work
Dimarys has taught literary workshops and coordinated community projects, including the Provincial Literary Workshop of Artemisa province and the UNEAC Community Culture Office. She has also been involved in various cultural events and festivals, such as the Havana International Poetry Festival and the International Literature Festival in Romania.
Ismael de la Torre
A Masterful Singer-Songwriter and Musician
Ismael De La Torre is a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and guitarist with a remarkable 30-year career. Born into a family of musicians, he was encouraged by his father to follow in their footsteps. He has successfully fused traditional Cuban Trova with the New Song, creating innovative and avant-garde rhythms and sounds.
A Life Dedicated to Music
Ismael De La Torre's passion and dedication to music have made him a master of his craft. His contributions to the world of music are a testament to his talent, creativity, and perseverance
Raul Torres
Raúl Torres Rondón was born in Bayamo, Cuba. Raised in a family that valued music, art, and culture, he developed a passion for music from a young age. His sister Elba, a writer, actress, and director, played a significant role in supporting his creative journey.
A Tireless Singer-Songwriter
Raúl Torres is a dedicated and passionate artist, known for his energetic live performances and meaningful lyrics. With a career spanning over three decades, he continues to captivate audiences with his music, inspiring new generations of musicians and fans alike.
Yassel Rubalcaba
Instrumentalist musician (trumpet) composer and music producer
Born in Havana, Cuba, Rubalcaba is the descendant of a family of prestigious Cuban musicians, among whom his grandfather Guillermo Rubalcaba and his uncle, the multi-laurel Gonzalo Rubalcaba, stand out.
Together with his orchestra he has performed on the main stages within Cuba and collaborated with several orchestras and international artists, where the Son Borojol International Orchestra of the Dominican Republic and the composer Gerald Cruz of New York City stand out.
Danielle Boissoneau
A 2Spirit Femme Anishnaabekwe Poet and Artist
Danielle is a proud member of the Old Turtle Clan, a 2Spirit femme Anishnaabekwe from Garden River First Nation, currently residing in Hamilton. She is a poet, artist, and performer who weaves words and sound to embody her dreams of liberation and autonomy.
Artistic Practice
Danielle's artistic practice is rooted in the belief that living artistically is a form of miracle-making. She seeks to acknowledge and translate the miracles in her life into creative projects that inspire and uplift.
Chyler Sewell
Chyler is a creative writer, performer, and facilitator with a passion for storytelling and social justice. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Chyler has established themselves as a talented and dedicated artist.
Ernesto J. Espinoza
A Violinist, Producer and Composer with a Passion for Social Justice
Ernesto J. Espinoza is a Chilean-born violinist and composer who has significantly impacted the music world with his unique style and commitment to social justice. Born in Chile, he was raised in Vancouver, Canada, from the age of four, and began his musical studies at nine. He has collaborated with numerous artists and groups, exploring various genres such as Rock, Blues, Jazz, Salsa, Andean Folk, and Flamenco.
Current Projects
Based in Toronto, Espinoza is the music producer for this festival. His commitment to social justice and passion for music make him a unique and important figure in the music world.
Oriana Barbato
A Versatile and In-Demand Bass Player
Barbato is a highly accomplished and sought-after bass player in the Toronto music scene, renowned for her adaptability, skill, and professionalism. With a diverse background spanning multiple genres, she has made a significant impact on the industry.
Eclectic Experience
Oriana's experience includes playing with Rakkatak (Indian fusion), Santerias (Latin funk), and currently, Ana Lía (Latin pop). Her versatility has allowed her to seamlessly transition between styles, making her a valuable asset to any project.
Luis Orbegoso
Known in the latin recording industry as “Luisito”, Luis was born in Lima, Perú in 1971 and moved to Canada in 1972. He became an honoured graduate of the Humber College music program in 1994 and has been a member of the Toronto Musicians Association since 1993. Luisito was a student of Memo Acevedo (professor of percussion at New York University) and jump-started his career as a professional bongo player with Memo’s ground breaking salsa band “Banda Brava” in 1993.
He has performed and/or recorded with Alex Cuba, Luis Mario Ochoa & Cimarrón, Dominicanada, Oscar de León, Hilario Durán, Chucho Valdéz, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Changuito, he Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Nelly Furtado, Mark Quiñones, and far too many more to list here.
Luis is a record producer, percussionist, vocalist and highly sought after teacher, having worked with students and professionals at universities, schools and festivals across Canada and in Germany, Korea and Peru.
Beny Esguerra
Award winning arts educator, multi instrumentalist, vocalist and community worker
Benny Esguerra arrived as a child to Tkaronto (Toronto, Canada) from Bacatá (Bogotá, Colombia) as a political refugee with his parents, who were involved in cultural work and human rights activism. Today, he is an award winning multi-instrumentalist/producer, spoken-word poet, arts educator and community worker. In 2021, he was chosen as the laureate of the 2020 Ontario Arts Foundation Arts Educator Award. Most recently, his songs–from the 2022 JUNO nominated album Northside Kuisi–have been nominated for collaboration of the year at the 2022 International Indigenous Hip Hop Music Awards and have won Music to Life's Hope Rises II song writing contest and international call for songs for social justice.