We Speak Music
Grammy-Nominated Cuban-Canadian Percussionist Joaquín Núñez Releases Electrifying New Single ”Ruta De La Clave”
Multi-Juno Award winner and Grammy-nominated percussionist Joaquín Núñez announces the release of his powerful new single “Ruta De La Clave”, the title track from his forthcoming debut album with his Cuban-Canadian ensemble Habana Safari, available on all digital platforms May 23, 2025.
Rooted in Cuban conga, the most iconic rhythm of Cuba’s street music culture, “Ruta De La Clave” is a bold and innovative piece that fuses the raw, percussive energy of traditional Cuban rhythms with the harmonic sophistication of New York jazz. The track features a special collaboration with rising star Dayramir González, a Cuban pianist based in New York whose virtuosic playing bridges Afro-Cuban traditions with the improvisational language of bebop.
“This song is a journey through rhythm—an invitation to follow the pulse of the clave, wherever it leads,” says Núñez. “It’s both a tribute to our roots and a step forward in the evolution of Cuban jazz.”
Drawing a direct line to the golden era of jazz pioneers like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, the single showcases the Cuban DNA embedded in modern jazz, reimagined for a new generation of global listeners.
A force in the world of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music, Joaquín Núñez has performed on stages across Cuba, Canada, and internationally. His resume includes collaborations with a diverse roster of icons—from jazz legends like Chucho Valdés, Hilario Durán, and Paquito D’Rivera, to pop and classical stars such as David Foster, Sarah McLachlan, and The Tenors. He has graced prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden, Royal Albert Hall, and Massey Hall, and was a featured performer on Durán’s Juno-winning and Grammy-nominated album From the Heart.
Now based in Toronto, Núñez is also a highly respected educator, serving on the music faculty at Humber College and leading community music programs throughout Ontario. His versatility extends to musical theatre, with credits in Disney’s The Lion King, Tina – The Musical, Dirty Dancing, and more.
The full album, Ruta De La Clave, is a compelling collection of original compositions by Núñez and Dayramir that reflects the dynamic crosscurrents of Afro-Cuban folkloric roots, jazz improvisation, and modern Cuban expression. With this project, Habana Safari presents a bold and celebratory vision of Cuban music’s past, present, and future.
A Song for Family, Love, and Life’s Beautiful Complexity
Acclaimed cellist, vocalist, and composer Hope Easton announces the release of her latest single, “3D Life,” a vibrant, funny, and deeply personal song written for her niece and goddaughter, Leylan, on the occasion of her wedding to David. The song is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Blending humor, sentimentality, and a rich musical palette, “3D Life” captures the spirit of a modern wedding anthem—with a wink. Easton draws from inside family jokes, generational wisdom, and musical traditions to craft a piece that feels as timeless as it is tailor-made.
“It’s her wedding song—with a little humor, it could easily be in Wedding Crashers,” says Easton with a smile. “It’s really about life, and how we go through everything together.”
The track reflects on family legacy—quoting the bride’s grandfather’s dry wit (“You can’t always be happy” after watching someone get married) and celebrating the bride’s connection to her talented maternal grandmother, Easton’s own mother. With loving candor, Hope jokes that Leylan is the only one of six nieces who can’t sing—but inherited all the other gifts. “In the end,” Easton says, “it’s about love. We’re all here to love one another, or we wouldn’t be here.”
“3D Life” concludes with a nod to the couple’s new shared last name, now known affectionately as “The Swifts.”
About Hope Easton
Hope Easton is a genre-defying musical force. Classically trained at Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, and as a Fulbright Scholar under Ralph Kirshbaum in the UK, she has performed as a soloist since her teenage years—including appearances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center at age 15. She has performed in renowned festivals such as Aspen, Banff, Meadowmount, and Yellow Barn.
Now based in Los Angeles, Easton fuses her classical foundation with pop, jazz, and original songwriting. She’s toured with Sheila Nicholls, formed her own band Hope & The Russians, and frequently performs solo using electric and acoustic cello. Her ensemble, Sonos Chamber Players, provides high-end music for private events, corporate gigs, and public venues, including TV appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful and more.
Hope has collaborated with artists such as Adele, Sheryl Crow, OneRepublic, Garth Brooks, Don Henley, Frank Ocean, and many others. Her studio credits span top networks and commercials, including The Voice, American Idol, The Tonight Show, and multiple national ad campaigns.
She continues to perform with orchestras across Southern California, record for film/TV scores, and share moments of her eclectic musical journey via social media.
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