Cuba meets Brazil by way of Moncton with hot salsa!

TORONTO, Canada (Salsa & Jazz magazine) - The 2002-2003 Cushion Concerts series comes to a close with Hot Salsa!, a spicy extravaganza fuelled by El Fuego, a Moncton based Latin band. El Fuego treats audiences to a dancingly infectious blend of Latin rhythms, catchy melodies and jazz-type solos. Cushion Concerts are presented by Jeunesses Musicales of Ontario in association with Harbourfront Centre.

The Cushion Concert takes place on Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m. in York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Get a family pack of four tickets for just $25 or purchase single tickets at $8 each. For tickets and information, the public can call the Harbourfront Centre Box Office at 416-973-4000 or visit www.harbourfront.on.ca.

El Fuego, one of the first Maritime ensembles to offer its own brand of fiery, dynamic salsa music, features St�phane Basque (percussion), Glen Deveau (vibraphone), Fran�ois �mond (saxophone), Steven Hach� (double bass), Denis Hachey (percussion) and Jesse Mea (vocals and piano). The group finds inspiration in the mambos and sambas of Tito Puente and in the bossa novas of Jobim. This influence can be heard in their own compositions as well as in their repertoire. All members of El Fuego have studied music at the Univeristy of Moncton. By combining jazz soloing elements, Cuban and Brazilian rhythms and original styling and compositions, El Fuego has proven to be a hit with audiences of all ages.

The Jeunesses Musicales of Canada movement has, since 1949, dedicated its work to musical excellence and the promotion of music for young people. Its mission is to promote the development of the arts in Canada by bringing some 700 concerts each year to audiences of all ages, and by fostering the careers of outstanding young professional Canadian instrumentalists, singers and composers in Canada and abroad. Jeunesses Musicales of Canada is a member of Jeunesses Musicales International.

Cushion Concerts are produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.