Robert Lopez Ensemble featuring Jorge Alabê - (SF International Arts Festival)

Ogum Onirê is a suite of ancestral songs and rhythms originating from the Brazilian Candomblé religion. These cultural practices, enduring the Transatlantic slave trade and centuries of religious intolerance are a staple of the rich fabric of modern day Brazilian culture. This work highlights the orixá, or deity, Ogum, who is celebrated throughout the African Diaspora and is associated with technology, battle and evolution. The concert’s song cycle utilizes the addition of vibraphone, cello, bass and drum set to traditional Candomblé ensemble featuring the prominent educator and master drummer, Jorge Alabê.