FIMPRO Day 3: convention wrap up, prep for music fest

Day 3 brought in truely wildmusic from Canada – nd wrapped up the official FIMgdl convention, but there is one more day of music.

Patrick O’Heffernan

As usual FIMPRO wrapped up the concert with great music and something special. The afternoon showcase was a combination workshop and showcase. The workshop was on creating communities globally using platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Two artists that have done this well were presented, Kafi and Ivan Rosas.  Kafi is a singer and songwriter from Monterrey Mexico who starts with old soul and then integrates funk, blues and pop rock and R&B in a R&B Neo Soul sound that is all her own. It doesn’t hurt that she has a stunning voice.

Ivan Rosa, originally from Tijuana Mexico, studied at the Tijuana Conservatory where he joined the Tren A Marte Group, and begin collaborations with other musicians. He currently works in hip-hop and has gathered a million followers around the world on various platforms.

The evening showcase was a real surprise – music from Canada. The Canadian bands were not exactly Latin: Kleztory,  SATE,  Tanika Charles, and Choses Savvages. Kleztory opened as the big surprise. A fusion klezmer band led by a violin and accordion, performing all instrumentals and may dance worthy. Only the accordion player – a woman originally from Russia – spoke Spanish,. Lots of fun.

Chooses Sauvages was just plain, wild. Led by the frantic Samuel Gemme, they kept up an entire set of atomic-powered rock filled with screams, shaking, nu-disco, and electro sound. Gemme jumped down from the stage and danced and strutted for the fans while he wrestled with a broken mic cable. They are alternative rock on steroids!

Two-time Juno award nominee. Tanika Charles was just, pure, beautiful soul…with some powerful electricity added. Her set was both exciting and endearing. You loved this woman who can do classic soul with contemporary style! She mesmerized, energized and swept away the audience who loved, loved, loved her.

Ending the evening was SATE, three-time nominee for the top Canadian music awards, resplendent in leather and rings and tights and a mile-wide smile. She engaged the audience with honest conversation -including dedicating a song to her cousin who the morning of the showcase, and then proceeded to deliver soul rock tht was rocket powered. Nobody was sitting down and everyone was clapping dancing and singing with SATE.

Tomorrow is a food and music festival, PortoAmerica, and I will be there with 11 bands, including  one of my all-time favorites, La Santa Cecelia..