LA BRUJA
 
 
Instrumentation
La Bruja - Lead Vocals / Singer / MC
DJ Precision (The X-ecutioners) - Turntables
Dimitri - Back Up Vocals
Whether singing on Telemundo, performing on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, or appearing in History Channel docudramas, modern day renaissance woman La Bruja refuses to be put in a box. Her unique creativity and charisma has taken her from appearances in a Spike Lee film to running writing workshops for inner-city youth and even modeling for Levi's in Glamour and Marie Claire.
Now, with her debut album Brujalicious, this dynamic, gifted performer infuses hip-hop and reggaeton with her irresistible blend of potent intelligence, hot sensuality and lyrical skill.
La Bruja has long been regarded as one of the leading American spoken word poets. With the release of "Brujalicious" she joins the ranks of artists such as Mos Def who infuse music with the power of word.
POET
Since her auspicious spoken-word debut at the famed Nuyorican Poets Café in 1996, Caridad De La Luz, aka La Bruja, has appeared on HBO's Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam and performed internationally at dozens of respected venues, including Joe's Pub at The Joseph Papp Public Theater, The Nuyorican Café in Puerto Rico, SOB's, The American Museum of Natural History, and at Miramax's celebration of Miguel Pióero.
WRITER
La Bruja is the author of the highly successful one-woman comedy show Boogie Rican Blvd., which sold out its eight-week run at La Tea Theater and has been produced at The Nuyorican Poets Café. The show's previous sponsors include Red Bull, Urban Latino Media, Café Bustelo, and Hot 97. She writes regularly for mun2's animated comedy series &qot;Lugar Heights", and is currently working on "Famers", a full length screenplay that tells the poignant story of love, aspirations, and loss behind the creation of a graffiti memorial wall.
ACTOR
La Bruja's numerous acting credits span television, theater, and film. Her TV credits include appearances on HBO Latino, The History Channel, public service spots for AmericansForTheArts.Org, and Spike Lee's commercials for IAM.com, She is the voice of Roxy in mun2's animated comedy "Lugar Heights". La Bruja made her major motion picture debut in 2000 as Cuca in Spike Lee's Bamboozled, and gave a scene stealing performance as Lucy in the 2004 Sundance-winning feature "Down To The Bone". A seasoned stage actor, La Bruja has performed at the Hip Hop Theater Festival, toured Poland and NYC as a cast member of the musical "Ubu Enchained", and appeared in Pedro Pietri's "El Spanglish Language Sandwich". She has received raves around the world for her performance in her original one-woman musical comedy show "Boogie Rican Blvd" and most recently in the Spanish Language Comedy Film "El Vacilon - The Movie" based on New York City's Top Rated FM Radio Morning Show on La Mega-FM.
HIP HOP / REGGAETON ARTIST
La Bruja has recorded with Fat Joe, Vivian Green, Jadakiss, Don Dinero, The Jungle Brothers, Black Ice, B-Real of Cypress Hill, Tony Touch, Afrikaa Bambaata, Boy Wonder and The X-ecutioners. On her musical debut album, "Brujalicious", longtime La Bruja fans will embrace the infectious settings of her trademark lyrical skills in "Keep it Movin' Like", "Nuyorico", and a hip-hop-flavored reggaeton cover of Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" and her fresh yet reverent treatment of traditional Puerto Rican bomba y plena and salsa in "Boricua,Boricua" and "Brujeria". But anyone who knows anything about La Bruja knows she never fails to surprise. She comes through again, revealing a husky, soulful alto in the album's musical refrains, and pushing boundaries with her catchy-as-it-is-sexy reggaeton "Mi Gatita Negra" and the steamy ballad "My Heart Go". "Brujalicious" CD's are available online at www.urbanlatino.com.
ACTIVIST
A dedicated artist-activist, La Bruja frequently performs at schools, universities, hospitals, and community centers around the country. She helped raised funds for "Stop The Bombs", part of a successful campaign to close the controversial US Navy Base on Vieques Island, and recorded music for the No More Prisons album, which promotes awareness of the negative impact of militarism on today's urban youth. La Bruja has been a longtime activist and participant in the fight against AIDS and in the promotion of education and awareness about the disease. Creator of the "How Can I Change The World?" writing workshop for The East Harlem Tutorial Program, she now leads workshops at schools and community development centers nationwide. In encouraging thousands to claim the benefits of art, culture, and self-expression, La Bruja continues to support positive change for the hip-hop generation.
Website
http://www.labrujamusic.com
Discography
"Brujalicious" - Full Length Album - De La Luz Records
"Mi Gatita Negra" b/w "Fuego" & "Brujeria" - Promotional CD Single - De La Luz Records
"Mi Gatita Negra" Music Video - De La Luz Records
"Chosen Few - El Documental" DVD - UBO Records (#1 Billboard Latin Album Charts)
"Chosen Few2" - UBO Records (Release Date: 2006)
"Together Forever (Featuring The Jungle Brothers, Black Ice, DYCR)" - The Def Jamaican Album (2004 Grammy Nominee) - Def Jam / Island Records |
ELJURI
Launching in 2007, Tierras, the new CD of universal truths and global rhythms from Ecuadorian singer/songwriter, Cecilia Villar Eljuri!
I grew up in a Hispanic household that resounded with music, dance and theatre. I listened to Cuban son with my father, Paco Villar, the legendary radio, theatre and television pioneer in Ecuador, rocked to "Led Zeppelin" with my brother and sisters, and tapped into my mother Olga Eljuri Villar's, musical legacy. My mother was an Ecuadorian recording artist and composer of tangos, pasillos and boleros during the 1950ís.
I don't choose to write music ... rather, music chooses me. I have a lot to say about the world around us ... stories that must be told, especially given the turbulence that surrounds us and this has manifested itself as an undeniable imperative to make this CD. The world is a mix of cultures, attitudes, and perspectives and my music is a reflection of that ñ rumba, flamenco, rock, funk, Ecuadorian pasillo, reggae, Cuban son ñ strong tribal rhythms blended to support serious lyrical content. My background is a mix of cultures too ... born in Ecuador to parents of Spanish and Lebanese descent, I was raised in NYC, the multicultural capital of the world.
Truth is the inspiration for my songs. These days I don't see much peace around us ... I see danger, inequities, fighting over borders, divisions among people and the loss of love. In spite of all that, I believe there is hope that we can overcome this and coexist in a tranquil society. These are my observations and experiences and the stories that I want to share.
I am challenged and pushed to the edge of what's happening musically by the power of the talent wrapping itself around each and every tune ... the desire to explore, stretch, expand the vision ... this is ingrained in me. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such great talent.
My longtime creative collaborator and co-producer on this record, Paola Romano (People, InStyle, George, Spin) and I share a rich and rewarding history of work on past musical CDís and projects. She is a great contributor to the development of the CD with her insightful musical perspective and arrangement ideas.
Through the cosmos of the universe, Yossi Fine, Paola and I found each other and immediately fell into step. As a co-producer, Yossi (David Bowie, Lou Reed) expresses his wealth of musical understanding in addition to his kick-ass bass lines as a contributing musician. Yossi brought Nir Z (Genesis, John Mayer) into the ELJURI circle. He has laid down an undeniable drum foundation on several of the tracks. Through great fortune and mutual musical respect, Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde) is performing as a guest vocalist on the CD. Several additional friends who we've had the privilege to work with over the years were brought in to enrich the music with their considerable talents: Peter Basil, Ray Turull, Nayla Della Penna, and Alex Fox.
And, so it goes. It continues to evolve. We will nurture and build the path that this project has taken and will enjoy the journey so that we may all experience and share its boundless rewards.
"... a sound that electrifies Latin styles...This is rock/dance music at its best."
óBILLBOARD Magazine
ìIts infectious Afro-Cuban groove, pushed by backbeat drums and Villarís piano-like montuno played with guitar arpeggios, doesnít waste time drawing attention. By the time Villar unleashes her guitar solo, you know youíre listening to a certified talentî óGLOBAL RHYTHM Magazine
http://www.eljurimusic.com/ |
