Buika, the Afro-Spanish sensation, arrives in this country on a tour that hits major venues from Chicago Symphony Hall to Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Her performance at the George Mason University Center for the Arts will introduce music from her latest album, “El Ultimo Trago” (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 Nina Lola” (My Little Girl Lola), she captured two Latin Grammy nominations in 2008 for “Nina 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.
“That first meeting was a little bit weird,” Buika said. “My manager, who is also her manager, told me to go onstage and sing for her, but when I tried to sing, Chavela yelled and said she didn’t want to hear me. She made me very afraid. Later, I realized that she was tired from traveling and the next time we met in Mexico, she embraced me and told me I’m her blood daughter. When I recorded the album in Havana, Cuba, with pianist Chucho Valdes, we did it live in two days as if we were performing onstage. I made this album because I believe we have to thank 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, they were oddities, but soon found peace and happiness in the community where people sang from dawn to dark.
“For a year and a half, I sang in the street for no money,” she said. “The piano player kept all my money, but I wasn’t angry. Many musicians who come out of conservatories can’t make money either. Our Gypsy neighbors were very nice to us and showed me the flamenco music I sang in the streets. I was a bad girl and hardly ever went to school, but music made me a strong person and musicians helped me grow.”
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, there were many amazing girls lined up. Because she spoke what she terms Span-English, she never dreamed she had a chance, but she went onstage 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.
“When I attend a show, I love whoever is onstage and whatever he does,” she said. “Music happens when a lot of people with different ideas get together for love and a peaceful moment. My voice is my celebration of myself.”
