Direct from Havana to WI: Latin Grammy nominees Maraca Y OtraVision: Sat. Oct. 18 at UCC: Madison Oct. 17 @ 9pm ” I love Maraca’s music*” –Wynton Marsalis “The greatest Afrocuban ensemble of the emerging century” –Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune Direct from Havana, Cuba: Latin Grammy nominees Maraca Y Otra Vision will close out their US tour with an exclusive performance at the newly remodeled Latino Arts Auditorium on the campus of the United Community Center (UCC), 1028 S. 9th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. [Note They will also perform in Madison at historic Barrymore Theater, 2090 Atwood Avenue, this Friday, Oct. 17th at 9pm]. If you like excellent instrumental virtuosity, music that swings, and music that appeals to listeners and dancers alike, we strongly recommend you attend this performance. This may be a rare final opportunity to see Maraca and his 10 piece ensemble in Milwaukee for quite some time due to the current restrictions making it difficult for Cuban artists to visit the USA. Maraca has had a great relationship with Milwaukee audiences having previously performed at Summerfest and Rainbow Summer Festivals while also filming an acclaimed documentary for Milwaukee Public Television and having given workshops at South Division High School. A portion of the proceeds of this concert will benefit children’s music programs at Latino Arts, Inc., a non-profit agency. Tickets can be purchased at the Latino Arts Box Office at the UCC: 414-384-3100. Thank you for your support of live music, Raul Galvan, Board Member Michael Reyes, Board Member Latino Arts, Inc. Orlando “Maraca” Valle y Otra Vision Date: October 18, 2003 (This Saturday) Time: 8:00 p.m. Venue: Latino Arts Auditorium 1028 S. 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 414-384-3100 Tickets: $20 Tickets on sale exclusively UCC/Latino Arts Box Office- 414-384-3100. Biography: Orlando “Maraca” Valle was born in Havana, Cuba, in September 1966. He grew up in a family of musicians and started to study the flute at the age of ten. In 1988, Maraca was asked to join his first professional group, Irakere. Irakere, very famous both in Cuba and throughout Latin America, was founded in 1973 by Chucho Valdes and Paquito D’Rivera. He worked in Irakere as a flutist, keyboard player, and arranger and through the group was introduced to a host of internationally known jazz and Latin musicians, including Dizzie Gillespie, Paquito D’Rivera, and Chick Corea. He stayed with Maraca and enjoyed six years of international fame until he left to start a solo career in 1994. On his first solo effort, Pasaporte, he collaborated with noted Cuban percussionists Tata Guines and Anga Miguel Diaz. This jump started his career as a solo artist and gained him an outstanding national reputation as a writer, arranger, and soloist. He continued to release a series of solo records through the ’90s and in 1999 formed his own group, Maraca & Otra Vision. He also wrote and arranged for Cubanismo. Because of less stringent political restrictions, Maraca & Otra Vision enjoyed a much more diverse and global audience, taking part in international jazz festivals and special engagements across North America, Asia, and Europe. For an extended biography, photos, music, etc. log on to their official web-site at: www.maraca.cult.cu>