We Speak Music

Choca Blues Delivers Masterful Debut Album ‘The Wind’

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2024

Choca Blues, a band born amidst the picturesque backdrop of San Marcos La Laguna, brings together an eclectic mix of musicians whose varied experiences and nationalities are mirrored in their music. The band members, hailing from Guatemala, the United States, and the Netherlands, have created a sound that is both unique and universally resonant, breaking free from conventional genre boundaries.

‘The Wind’ opens with its vibrant title track, setting the tone for a musical journey that traverses through various styles and moods. From the hauntingly beautiful ballad ‘Old Man’, with its country-inspired undertones, to the powerful closing anthem ‘Kabuki Dance’, Choca Blues delivers a masterful collection of songs that defy easy categorization. The album is a testament to the band’s ability to merge different musical worlds into a cohesive and compelling whole.

At the heart of Choca Blues is lead singer Delta Dina, whose powerful vocals anchor the album’s diverse soundscapes. Her voice, a force of nature in itself, navigates through the album’s eclectic mix of blues, rock, and country with effortless grace. Delta Dina’s vocal prowess is complemented by the skillful guitar work of Carlos Funk, whose mastery of the ‘National Resonator Style O’ guitar adds a distinctive edge to the band’s sound.

Supporting this dynamic duo is a formidable lineup of musicians: Laura Charnaud, known as ‘The Law’ on bass, Whitney Petty on drums and mandolin, and Zach Bluestown on harmonica. Each member brings a unique flavor to the band, contributing to the album’s rich and varied sonic landscape.

Choca Blues’ debut album is not just a collection of songs; it’s a musical voyage that reflects the band’s journey across continents and cultures. ‘The Wind’ invites listeners to experience the magic of a band that is redefining what it means to be a blues band in the modern era.

As they prepare for the release of a second album already on the horizon, Choca Blues continues to invite fans to join them on their musical adventure—a journey where tradition meets innovation and where the boundaries of genre are beautifully blurred.

For more information about Choca Blues and their debut album ‘The Wind’, visit their official website or follow them on social media. Join the conversation and be part of a musical journey that promises to resonate with audiences around the world.

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We Speak Jazz

Zahili Zamora Wins Two Global Music Awards and Brings Her Afro-Cuban Jazz Quartet to Regattabar

Published

46 minutes ago

November 2, 2026

We Speak Media

Zahili Zamora seated in a burgundy dress, her braided hair styled in a top bun

Zahili González Zamora. Photo by Robert Torres.

Afro Cuban jazz pianist Zahili Zamora brings her Afro Cuban Jazz Quartet to The Regattabar at The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Friday, November 6 at 7 pm, with special guest Yosvany Terry on saxophone. The quartet features Gerson Lazo Quiroga on bass and Zack O’Farrill on drums. Tickets are $35 and $25 plus fees and are on sale now.

Zamora returns this week from a week in Seoul, Korea, where she was performing and auditioning students for Berklee. She has won two Global Music Awards for her recent album Overcoming, taking Silver Medals for Latin Jazz and Afro Cuban music and for album art and graphics. She is also nominated for the Boston Music Awards 2026 Latin Artist of the Year, with winners announced at Big Night Live on Wednesday, December 16, and WBUR has saluted her as one of its 2026 Makers, its annual series highlighting creatives of color making an impact in the local arts scene. Earlier this year she also won the InterContinental Music Award 2026 for Best of Latin America for her composition “Negra.”

The run of dates continues overseas and back in New York. The Zahili Zamora Afro Cuban Jazz Trio, with Gerson Lazo Quiroga on bass and Julien Miltenberger on drums, plays Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London on Sunday, November 15, with shows at 2 pm and 8 pm. Zamora then plays duo sets with clarinetist Juan Fer Ruiz at So & So’s in New York on Saturday, November 28, Five Spot Jazz in New York on Sunday, November 29, Fat Swami’s Jazz Bar & Lounge in Guttenberg, New Jersey on Thursday, December 3, and The Delancey on Thursday, December 10.

About special guest Yosvany Terry, The New York Times has written that the Cuban saxophonist, percussionist and composer “has helped redefine Latin jazz as a complex new idiom.” Bassist Gerson Lazo Quiroga, a Chilean born Berklee Presidential Scholar, has performed at Carnegie Hall, SFJAZZ and the Montreal, Monterey, San Jose and Panama Jazz Festivals. Drummer Zack O’Farrill, son of pianist Arturo O’Farrill and grandson of composer Chico O’Farrill, performs regularly across the United States and the globe.