Épocanova is a fresh, groovy,
modern band, taking elements of South American and Caribbean music and
blending them to create an original, energetic new sound. The band is
based around the collaboration between outstanding London Steel Pan
player Susannah Flack and renowned Italian Saxophonist Roberto Manzin.
Flack and Manzin are joined by a core of committed musicians, each
internationally successful in their own right. Their set includes
originals composed by the band as well as arrangements of Caribbean and
Latin Standards, revised and up-dated. Owing to their positive energy
and sense of cohesion Épocanova consistently receive a very warm
and enthusiastic audience response.
Épocanova is a quintet, expanding to a 7 piece band according to
the occasion.
Susannah Flack – Steel Pan, Voice,
Roberto Manzin – Saxes,
Roland Perrin – Piano (Dudu Pukwana, Osvaldo Chacon),
Rey Crespo – Bass (Rubén González, Omara Portuondo),
Michel Castellanos – Drums (Azucar Negra, Sur Caribe)
Oscar Martinez - Congas/Percussion (Omar Puente)
Filipe Monteiro - Guitar
info@epocanova.com
You can subscribe to Épocanova newsletter here
Susannah Flack
Born in London of English and Brazilian origin, Susannah’s
musical training took place in a succession of London steel bands with
whom she performed around the world. By the age of 22 she was band
captain/manager of Glissando Steel Orchestra (Est.1978), during which
time she collaborated closely with renowned Jazz steel pannist and
steel band arranger Rudy Smith.
Susannah made her Jazz debut with the Russ Henderson Trio at
London’s 606 Club in 2008 and has since been making waves on the
London Jazz scene, experimenting with her Steel Pan sound in a range of
contexts. She is particularly interested in exploring the common roots
of the different branches of Afro-American, Latin and Caribbean musical
traditions and has collaborated on several projects from Jazz to
Parang, appearing with Roberto Pla and his Latin Ensemble, as well as
forming a central part of Gui Tavares’ band Ritmo BR, playing
Brazilian grooves from Funk and Samba to Forro and Chorinho.
In 2009 Susannah became one of the first musicians ever to be granted
special permission to play in the House of Lords. She has featured in
two documentaries and taken part in several performances broadcast live
on the BBC World Service as part of BBC SuperPower Nation 2010.
Susannah continues to develop her musical gift, contributing original
tunes for Épocanova as well as stepping up to the microphone to
add her voice to the blend of sounds.
“I have been a fan of
Susannah’s since the moment I first heard her, I just think that
she is a very groovy pan player and I expect great things from her in
the near future.” (Rudy Smith)
“Susannah is a great musician
and wonderful ambassador for pan.” (Debi Gardner, British
Association of Steelbands)
Roberto Manzin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Manzin
Roberto's distinctive and personal Sax sound has led to over 50
recorded album appearances, many tours and TV shows, all while
continuing
to develop skills on Alto, Tenor and Soprano Saxes.
Roberto is a London based Saxes and Clarinet player and composer, born
in Rome of Eastern European refugees who were also musicians. His
musical life began in Milan where he studied Music and played with
James Brown, Donna Summer, Manu Katche and many others. For a
number of years, Roberto played in Tony Scott's Jazz Quintet –
Scott being the legendary American Bebop Clarinet player who performed
with the likes of Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday.
Roberto migrated to the more dynamic and evolving music environment of
London in the mid '90's, wanting to sample its exciting intercultural
richness. In London Roberto played in Antonio Forcione’s band for
three years and he appears on Forcione's album "Ghetto Paradise"
featuring Trilok Gurtu, and Kai Eckhardt, John McLaughlin's rhythmic
section. He performed and recorded with, amongst others, Jim Mullen,
Jonathan Gee, Roberto Pla, Roland Perrin, Jason Rebello, Ska Cubano,
Jesus Cutiño. Since then, Roberto Manzin continues to appear in
Jazz Festivals in Europe including Ascot, Hull and Vilnius Jazz
Festivals as well as performing regularly in London at Ronnie Scott's
Bar, The 606 Club, The Vortex and others.
“An expressive player with an
attractive sound, his improvisations reveal a skilful strategist, a
melodist first and foremost, who gradually unfolds a solo and builds up
to a compelling conclusion.” (Jazzwise)
"Roberto Manzin, a powerful Italian Tenor Saxist currently wowing the
UK." (Jim Mullen)
info@epocanova.com
You can subscribe to Épocanova newsletter here
Download Épocanova profile in pdf: Epocanova_Band_Profile.pdf
