Buika, the Afro Spanish Singing Sensation Has Arrived
Buika, the Afro-Spanish sensation, has arrived in this country on a tour that hits major venues from Chicago Symphony Hall to Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los angeles. Her program introduces music from her latest album, "El Ultimo Traco" (The Last Drink) to honor the 90th birthday of legendary Mexican singer Chavela Vargas.
After receiving Spanish Music Awards honors in 2007 for Best Album and Best Production of her U. S. debut album, "Mi Niña Lola" (My Little girl Lola), Buika captured two Latin Grammy nominations in 2008 for "Niña de Fuego" (Child of Fire) as Album of the Year and Best Production. But the singer might never have been inspired to record these successes had not Vargas thrown her off the stage in Madrid and later apologized for refusing to allow her to sing.
The first meeting between the two women was suggested by their mutual manager who urged Buika to go on stage and sing for her idol. Instead of welcoming her, detectives en Madrid Chavela yelled and refused so adamantly to hear her that Buika became very afraid. All that changed the next time they met in Mexico.
There Chavela embraced Buika and welcomed her as her blood daughter. Buika and pianist Chucho Valdés recorded the album in Havana within two days, doing it live as if they were performing on stage. She was determined the album would be her way of thanking all the divas while they are alive.
Now in her 30s, Buika was born in a poor neighborhood of Spain's Mallorca de Palma to political exiles from Guinea. Because her father believed in democracy, he had to escape from the dangerous dictatorship and purposely settled among gypsies to avoid detection.
As the only black family in the community, they were oddities, but they soon found peace and happiness in the community where people sang from dawn to dark.
Her gypsy neighbors were very kind to the family and taught her the flamenco music that she soon sang in the streets and has since made her famous. Although the piano player kept all her money, she was not angry, merely philosophical; she knew that many musicians coming out of conservatories could not make money either.
Before her dusky voice captivated European audiences, Buika won an audition to impersonate Tina Turner in Las vegas. She credits.
Tina's music with saving her life. When she arrived at the audition, she was astounded by the many amazing girls lined up. Because she spoke what she terms Span-English, she never dreamed she had a chance, but she went on stage determined to do her best and got the job.
Buika is currently working on a recording featuring electronic music. As a teenager, she played the drum and tried to be hired as a drummer, but the groups didn't want girls on drums, so she switched to bass. That way, she could sing along as she played. The new recording will highlight electronic drums.