When artists are asked to describe their work, they can struggle to put it into words. A New York-based string quartet, which formed in 2006, wanted their name to not only allude to its Latin roots but also evoke the sensation of a good taste, essentially evading part of the question. Taking those desires into account, they came up with the moniker Sweet Plantain and specialize in genre bending, original compositions and arrangements.
The group’s unique style fuses Latin, classical, hip-hop and jazz forms with a heavy emphasis on improvisational elements and percussive techniques to showcase the rhythmic characteristics of Latin music. Sweet Plantain began as an academic venture, but the members later wanted to express themselves through more contemporary means with jazz and folk roots from their heritage. Three of the four have Latin roots.
Eddie, the violinist, is a product of Venezuela’s famed strings program El Sistema, which produced musical masterminds such as the L.A. Philharmonic’s Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Although they are all classically trained and inspired by classical composers, each musician brings a different expertise from Afro-Cuban, hip-hop and Brazilian styles all the way to rock ’n’ roll and jazz. With the flexibility of their styles, their music appeals to classical buffs and hip-hoppers alike.
Don’t miss the one-night-only performance Friday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., in the Latino Arts Auditorium at the United Community Center (1028 S. Ninth St.)
So where does Latino Arts find this global talent, and how do they get them to Milwaukee? Artistic Director Zulay Oszkay makes many of the discoveries through the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York. “I heard of them and how innovative they were,” Oszkay says of Sweet Plantain. “To me, the refreshing thing is their fusion – mixing classical with lots of improvisation.”
Established in 1997, Latino Arts, Inc. presents up to six exhibits and performances a year. Typically, it will pair an exhibit in the gallery with a live performance. “I like the mix of disciplines, people can get into it more,” Oszkay says. “They hear it, feel it, taste it.” They aim to present contemporary Latin American art from various countries.
Sweet Plantain tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors (60+) or $15 for full-time students. A dinner-and-a-show ticket option, which includes a fish fry in Café el Sol (on the lower level of the UCC) before the performance, is available for $32. To reserve your spot, click here.
One more to not miss:
Latino Arts will also host an opening reception for the Contemporary Cuban Printmaking exhibit on Friday, Dec. 3 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the gallery space adjacent to the auditorium. The exhibit features prints from Taller Experimental de Gráfica, Havana’s experimental graphic workshop. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 11 and is open to the public for a suggested donation of $1. More information is available here.
