CANTARÉ & CANTOSUR

Based in the Washington, DC area, Cantaré and CantoSur are led by vocalist/instrumentalist Cecilia Esquivel and guitarist Dani Cortaza, both from Argentina. Cecilia is a versatile vocalist specializing in several genres, including Brazilian music, American Jazz, and South American folk music (tango, folklore). Dani is a highly skilled performer, composer, and arranger, specializing in Brazilian music, Latin jazz, and Latin American folk music, performing on both nylon and electric jazz guitar. Cecilia and Dani have led performances and workshops at a variety of venues throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, including Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, Wolf Trap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Discovery Theater, and hundreds of libraries, camps, and schools.

artist website: https://cantaremusic.com

social links:

PERFORMANCES

Madre Africa - African Heritage in Latin America

Travel through South America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean to learn how the African influence in Latin America gave birth to a variety of fascinating rhythms, instruments, and musical styles, such as festejo, samba, salsa,and son. (all ages)

¡Mucha Música! - A Musical Journey Through Latin America

Journey to Latin America to experience the many rhythms and unique instruments from different regions, while learning about the three cultures that shaped Latin music: Indigenous, European and African. (all ages)

Rainforest Air

Music and magical tales from the heart of the rainforest – a powerful ecological message from the animals, plants, and people that live in the rainforests of South America, Central America, and Puerto Rico. (grades K-6)

The Legend of Viracocha - Pre-Columbian Music

Take a journey back in time to experience the rich music and culture of the Indigenous people of Latin America through haunting tales, melodies and rhythms from the Andes, the Rainforest, Central America, and the Caribbean. (grades K-6)

¡Vamos al Carnaval!

Experience the excitement of Carnaval (the Latin American version of Mardi Gras) with joyful rhythms from different Carnaval traditions such as carnavalito from Bolivia, festejo from Peru, plena from Puerto Rico, conga from Cuba, and samba from Brazil. (grades K-6)

¡Feliz Navidad! – Latin American Holiday Celebration

Enjoy songs and stories from holiday traditions rooted in our Indigenous, African and European heritage. Hear villancicos from the Andes, festejos from Peru, parrandas from Puerto Rico, African chants from Brazil, Hanukah songs from Spain and more. (grades K-6)

Shake Your Bones!

In this playful and highly interactive program, Cantaré introduces younger audiences to songs in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, rhythms, dances, and instruments from Latin America. (best for grades preK&K)

CANTARÉ

Cantaré Latin American Music introduces audiences of all ages to the beautiful songs and rhythms of Latin America. Drawing from the musical heritage of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, Cantaré shares a lively blend of songs in Spanish and Portuguese, instruments from Indigenous, African, and European traditions, and elements of Latin American history, geography, and culture. Cantaré offers engaging, interactive programming for schools and communities, including elementary, middle, and high school assemblies, college and university performances, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Family Night and International Night performances, library and theater family series, festivals, and museum events. Bilingual programs, larger ensemble, and virtual programs are also available by request.

CantoSur was created by vocalist Cecilia Esquivel and guitarist Dani Cortaza to offer Latin American music for a wide variety of settings with primarily adult audiences. Available as a duo, or as a larger ensemble, Cecilia and Dani are often accompanied by skilled collaborators from DC and New York who contribute keyboard, bass, percussion, drums, horns, and traditional South American instruments.

CantoSur provides vocal and/or instrumental music for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, concerts (theaters, museums, galleries, outdoor venues, etc.), festivals, ceremonies, nonprofit organizations, senior centers, government agencies, corporate settings, restaurants, bars, lounges, and private events. Musical styles include Brazilian jazz, Latin jazz, American jazz, Brazilian popular music, and South American folk music.

In 2023, Cecilia and Dani released CantoSur, a digital recording of Brazilian, Jazz and Argentinian standards: https://cantosur.hearnow.com

CANTOSUR