Buika, the Afro-Spanish Singing Sensation, Has Arrived

Buika, the Afro-Spanish sensation, has arrived in this country on a
tour that hits major venues from Chicago Symphony Hall to Walt Disney
Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Her program introduces music from her
latest album, "El Ultimo Traco" (The Last Drink) to honor the 90th
birthday of legendary Mexican singer Chavela Vargas.After receiving
Spanish Music Awards honors in 2007 for Best Album and Best Production
of her U.S. debut album, "Mi Ni�a Lola" (My Little Girl Lola), Buika
captured two Latin Grammy nominations in 2008 for "Ni�a de Fuego"
(Child of Fire) as Album of the Year and Best Production. But the
singer might never have been inspired to record these successes had
not Vargas thrown her off the stage in Madrid and later apologized for
refusing to allow her to sing.The first meeting between the two women
was suggested by their mutual manager who urged Buika to go on stage
and sing for her idol. Instead of welcoming her, Chavela yelled and
refused so adamantly to hear her that Buika became very afraid. All
that changed the next time they met in Mexico. There Chavela embraced
Buika and welcomed her as her blood daughter. Buika and pianist Chucho
Vald�s recorded the album in Havana within two days, doing it live as
if they were performing on stage. She was determined the album would
be her way of thanking all the divas while they are alive.Now in her
30s, Buika was born in a poor neighborhood of Spain's Mallorca de
Palma to political exiles from Guinea. Because her father believed in
democracy, he had to escape from the dangerous dictatorship and
purposely settled among gypsies to avoid detection. As the only black
family in the community, they were oddities, but they soon found peace
and happiness in the community where people sang from dawn to dark.Her
gypsy neighbors were very kind to the family and taught her the
flamenco music that she soon sang in the streets and has since made
her famous. Although the piano player kept all her money, she was not
angry, merely philosophical; she knew that many musicians coming out
of conservatories could not make money either.Before her dusky voice
captivated European audiences, Buika won an audition to impersonate
Tina Turner in Las Vegas. She credits Tina's music with saving her
life. When she arrived at the audition, she was astounded by the many
amazing girls lined up. Because she spoke what she terms Span-English,
she never dreamed she had a chance, but she went on stage determined
to do her best and got the job.Buika is currently working on a
recording featuring electronic music. As a teenager, she played the
drum and tried to be hired as a drummer, but the groups didn't want
girls on drums, so she switched to bass. That way, she could sing
along as she played. The new recording will highlight electronic
drums."Music happens when a lot of people with different ideas get
together for love and a peaceful moment," she said. "My voice is my
celebration of myself."