The glorious sounds of pre-revolutionary Havana turn the Gardens into a Cuban dance party when Orquesta Akokán arrives with the irresistible grooves of mambo, son montuno, guarachas, cha cha cha and boleros. Created by Chulo Records producer and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Plasse, arranger Michael Eckroth, and the great Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gomez, Akokán was born on a trip to Havana. With the savvy guidance of Irakere saxophonist César López, they assembled a brilliant cadre of American and Cuban players to celebrate and expand the mid-20th century sounds of Perez Prado, Beny Moré and Machito. Akokán, which means “from the heart” in Yoruban, gained international attention in 2018 when their eponymous Daptone Records release earned a Grammy nomination. The Orquesta has been on fire ever since with an incendiary 21st century take on the Cuban dance music that swept the world.

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