User talk:Iris Sandra

Iris Sandra Cepeda

Iris Sandra Cepeda was born in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba in 1979. Beginning her musical studies at the age of eight, she studied piano at the Ernesto Lecuona Conservatory in her native city. During these years of study, she participated in various festivals and contests singing and playing piano. At the age of 14, Ms. Cepeda attended Cuba’s Escuela Nacional de Arte (National School of the Arts), where she majored in Choral Direction. Ms. Cepeda received what is equivalent to a Masters degree four years later. She was accepted as Professor of Choral Direction at the “Manuel Samuel Cienfuegos Music Conservatory” shortly after receiving her degree. In 1993 Iris Sandra Cepeda was part of the vocal quartet Cactus, a project significantly influenced by the 1980’s styling of the groups Manhattan Transfer and Take Six. In 1994 Ms. Cepeda left the Cactus Quartet to join Arte Mixto, a group that mixed traditional Cuban Music with elements of classical music, jazz, flamenco, salsa, samba as well as various other influences.

In 1997, she recorded Arte Mixto’s first CD release ‘Deseos’, for which the group received many national awards, including the esteemed Benny More Music Award and toured thoughout Italy. Arte Mixto also shared first place with Laito y Su Sonora in the Lucas Awards (equivalent to the MTV awards in Cuba) the same year of the CD’s release. In 1998, she recorded on Arte Mixto’s second CD release, ‘Virginia’ which underwent a promotional tour to the United States. Iris Sandra Cepeda decided to exile in the U.S.

Ms. Cepeda has an eight year tenure as a faculty member teaching voice in the Afro-Latin Music Department at California State University, Los Angeles. In 2010 she joined the organization L.A. Best, where her role as Choral Director continues to provides music instruction to elementary schools throughout the Los Angeles county.

Iris Sandra Cepeda has also been involved in many studio recordings with illustrious artists such as floutist, Danilo Lozano who featured her in his CD, ‘Cuban L.A. Dos,’ on the track “Lagrimas Negras” in 2000. The following year, she performed background vocals on the sound track for the film “Original Sin” starring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie. Ms. Cepeda recorded on the late Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Andy Garcia’s CD releases “Cuba Linda” in 2000 and “Ahora Si” in 2004, the latter of which won 2 Grammy Awards the following year. In 2002, she was invited to record with worldly renown saxophonist Justo Almario and Alex Acuña’s project Grupo Tolu, on the CD release, “l Bongo De Van Gogh.” In 2005, she recorded background vocals on the soundtrack for the film “The Cigar’s Song”  and Iris Sandra Cepeda also recorded on the soundtrack for the motion picture “The Lost City,” with Andy Garcia as director and performed in the film as well. In 2007, Ms. Cepeda was invited to appear on the T.V. show “Cane” to perform the song “Veinte Años.”  Other musical accomplishes include performing at two live concerts with the famous Larry Harlow Orquestra,  touring Italy with Cineson Allstars Group – a compilation of Los Angeles’ top notch latin musicians in 20 …..

Iris Sandra Cepeda continues to work with the group Cineson Allstars lead by Andy Garcia, a project that tours internationally. Her other projects has included singing with in the group Chalo y Su Aché (under the direction of the group’s founder Gonzalo Chomat) from 2004 to 2009 which whom she recorded on the group’s first CD release ‘Ensemble,’ and presently Rumbankete (a 14 piece contemporary Cuban style music band under the direction of classically trained trombonist Denis Jirón).

In early 2011 Iris Sandra completed her first solo album, entitled “Dos Palabras” (Two Words), on the Spanish Music Records label. Iris’ long anticipated release features her stellar voice on six original tracks and some of the top studio recording talent in Los Angeles. The album showcases her wide ranging abilities as a singer and composer, surprising many with her soulful interpretation of music styles not commonly recorded in Spanish.

Artist Recording Profile

2011 “Dos Palabras,” first solo album release (Spanish Music Records)

2011 Vocals on the CD entitled, “Camino Del Niño” with recording artists E Adame and D. Caballero of the Techno Music project ICAN.

2009 Vocals on the album "Cuento en Clave” by Perico Hernandez, on the feature song: “Sonera Joven”.

2009 Vocals on the cd “Bueno Pa’ Gozar” with Paul De Castro y su Orquesta Dengue.

2008 Vocals on the cd entitled, ‘Camino Del Niño’ with recording artists Esteban Adame and Santiago Salazar of the Techno Music project Ican.

2007 Vocals on the cd ‘Ensemble’ with group Chalo Y Su Ache’, founded by Gonzalo Chomat.

2006 Background vocals in the soundtrack for the motion picture “The Cigar’s Song.”

2005 Background vocals in the soundtrack for the motion picture “The Lost City,” produced by and starring Andy Garcia. Received a Grammy Award for work on the album “Ahora Si” by artist Israel “Cachao” Lopez.

2004 Background vocals on the album “Ahora Si” by artist Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Andy Garcia

2002 Background vocals on the album “El Bongo de Van Gogh” with Justo Almario and Alex Acuña of Grupo Tolu

2001 Background vocals on the soundtrack for the motion picture “Original Sin” starring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie.

2000 Background vocals on the album “Cuba Linda” with Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Andy Garcia.

Vocals on the album ‘Cuban LA Dos’ by Danilo Lozano, on the featured song “Lagrimas Negras.”

Vocals on the album “Acuarela de Tambores” by Alex Acuña.

Background vocals on the album “El Baile del Balsero” with Grupo Timba by band leader Gonzalo Chomat. Also featured on lead vocals on the track “Buscandote.”

1998 Lead and background vocals on the album “Virginia” with Grupo Arte Mixto, featured on the tracks “Virginia,” “Entre Tu y Yo,” “Ahi Nama,” and “Echa Pa’ lla.”

1997 Lead and background vocals: on the album “Deseos” by Grupo Arte Mixto on the tracks “Aguzate,” “Confesion,” “El Aroma de Tu Piel,” “Centellas de Amor,” “Corazon Gitano,” and “Bolerito.”