MAY 28 – JUNE 8, 2025 | TICKETS & INFO: LULAWORLD.CA
Toronto, ON — In a time when music festivals across Canada are shrinking, folding, or reimagining themselves, one festival is standing tall, louder and prouder than ever. The 19th annual Lulaworld Festival is set to ignite Toronto from May 28 to June 8, 2025, offering a vibrant, soul-stirring celebration of Latin, Brazilian, and global roots music. This is not just a Toronto event — it’s a vital expression of who we are as a country: diverse, creative, and globally connected.
Hosted by Toronto’s legendary Lula Lounge, Lulaworld has evolved into a national cultural landmark — one that offers grassroots intimacy combined with international scope. Over the course of 12 genre-spanning days, more than 200 artists will gather from across Canada and the globe, sharing stages, stories, and songs from Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Turkey, Jamaica, Nigeria, Algeria, Uruguay, Guatemala, and beyond.
“Toronto has become the cultural heartbeat of global music in Canada,” says Lula Music & Arts Centre co-director Tracy Jenkins. “At a time when it’s increasingly difficult for Cuban, Brazilian, and African artists to tour the U.S., we’re proud to make space for those voices here — and to do it with Canadian collaborators, on Canadian soil.”
With over two dozen presentations taking place at, Lula Lounge, Drom Taberna, and the Lulaworld Stage at Do West Fest, this year’s festival highlights include:
- Four nights of world-class salsa, from living legends to rising stars, including Andy Rubal, Noderlis Valdez, Alx Veliz, and Lengaïa Salsa Brava
- Three album launches on Lulaworld Records, Canada’s powerhouse label for Latin and global sounds
- A trailblazing Pride Month cabaret hosted by Bruno Capinan, featuring top drag artists and new music premieres
- The 4th Annual International Samba Reggae Festival, uniting percussionists and cultural leaders from Brazil, Vancouver, and the Bay Area
- Epic musical mashups like The Electric Storm Collective, fusing jazz, folk, Brazilian maracatu, and feminist storytelling into one of the most unique sets of the year
From intimate solo performances to massive dance-floor explosions, every Lulaworld show is designed to ignite connection, curiosity, and community. The lineup showcases established icons and emerging voices alike — including Selcuk Suna, Joaquin Nuñez, Ladom Ensemble, Aline Morales, Marcia Castro, and Dayramir Gonzalez — each telling stories that bridge tradition with today’s musical evolution.
“Long before artists like Bad Buny, Maluma and Daddy Yankee brought Latin music to the international mainstream, Lula has been creating a home for salsa and global music,” says co-artistic director Jose Ortega. “Now, with artists like Yani Borrell, OKAN, Ahmed Moneka, and Empanadas Ilegales going international, we’re proud to say those roots go deep — and they started right here.”
Visit www.lulaworld.ca for the full lineup and schedule, and secure your tickets via Eventbrite. Dinner reservations for Lula Lounge events are available at lula.ca/reservations or by calling 416-588-0307.
Lulaworld 2025 is more than a festival. It’s a movement. It’s Canada at its most soulful, its most joyful, and its most united — one beat at a time.
LULAWORLD 2025 CONCERT LISTINGS
WED MAY 28, 2025
Opening Night: Selcuk Suna & Fethi Nadjem
with special guests Dia, Tara Moneka and Jessica Deutsch
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert – $25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Lulaworld 2025 kicks off with a double (album release party featuring Selcuk Suna (Lulaworld Records) and Fethi Nadjem. The culmination of years of creation, the evening will bring together Turkish, Middle Eastern and North African global jazz, roots and electronica.
Selcuk Suna Instagram Selcuk Suna Facebook
THURS MAY 29, 2025
Kubla + Gracie Ella
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $20 – 25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
An unforgettable night of soulful R&B and jazz as Kubla brings his dreamy West Coast sound and magnetic presence to the stage. Opening the night is rising star Gracie Ella, whose smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting set the tone for an evening of groove, soul, and emotion.
Kubla Instagram Kubla Facebook Kubla Website
FRI MAY 30, 2025
Cafe Cubano with special guest Andy Rubal $10 – 30 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Co-presented with Okokan Productions
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 9 PM Dance Lesson, 10 PM Concert
Montreal pianist and vocalist Andy Rubal joins Toronto’s legendary Café Cubano for a high-energy night of Cuban music. Blending Rubal’s soulful vocals and contemporary timba flair with Café Cubano’s funky rhythms and fiery grooves, this powerhouse collaboration promises an unforgettable celebration of salsa, son, funk, and tropical dancefloor magic.
Andy Rubal Instagram Andy Rubal Facebook Andy Rubal Website
SAT MAY 31, 2025
SWA Orchestra with special guest Alx Veliz: The Nostalgic Sessions
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 10 PM Concert $20 – $40 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Or reserve for dInner & Show $69 option at Lula.ca/reservations
With a sound that has no borders, singer Alx Veliz’s music reflects his upbringing in a Guatemalan and Jamaican home in Toronto with influences from reggae, dancehall, salsa and Latin pop. Prominent on the Latin Canadian music scene since his debut single “Dancing Kizomba,” hit the Billboard charts in 2015, Alx has continued to build his crossover story as a composer, songwriter and producer — bridging the culture gap between Latin and urban pop music.
Alex Veliz Instagram Alex Veliz Facebook
SWA, short for Salseros With Attitude, is a dynamic Latin music group known for their exciting blend of salsa pop, and Latin rhythms. Having worked with Grammy-nominated artists such as Charlie Aponte, Ismael Miranda, Adonis Puentes and Fito Blanco, SWA has cemented their reputation, blending their Latin heritage with a variety of global musical genres, offering an exciting fusion that pushes creative boundaries and connect with new audiences.
SWA Instagram SWA Facebook SWA Website
SUN JUNE 1, 2025
Bruno Capinan + Drag Cabaret featuring Devine Darlin and Georgina Hudson
A Pride Month Party Co-presented with Uma Nota Culture, the driving force behind Mixto Festival.
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Brazilian-born, Toronto-based Bruno Capinan previews two new songs and celebrates the re-release of his discography on vinyl. As part of this special night to launch Pride month, Bruno will be joined by three leading figures on Toronto’s vibrant drag scene.
Bruno Capinan Instagram Bruno Capinan Facebook Bruno Capinan Website
MON JUNE 2, 2025
Ladom Ensemble Album Release
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $30 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Join Lulaworld Records in celebrating the launch of Ladom Ensemble’s latest album Sofreh Tisch. Ladom Ensemble’s Sofreh Tisch is a musical tapestry woven from the rich cultural heritage of its members. Pianist Pouya Hamidi, originally from Iran, and cellist Beth Silver, of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, bring their respective traditions into a project where it reflects the Canadian ensemble’s spirit of friendship and artistic exchange.
Ladom Ensemble Instagram Ladom Ensemble Facebook Ladom Ensemble Website
TUES JUNE 3, 2025
Carlie Howell and The Electric Storm Collective featuring Aline Morales
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $25-$30 ON EVENTBRITE
The Electric Storm Collective is a chamber ensemble that draws on the unique musical voices of its members to create a sound that is intimate yet expansive, nostalgic and new. Evocative lyrics are set to lush harmonies, organically shifting time signatures and intricate ostinatos, brought to life by strings, horns, Brazilian percussion, and bespoke female vocals.
The group genre-hops in the most reverent of ways between jazz, folk, rock, pop, and Brazilian traditional and contemporary styles like maracatu, bossa nova, MPB and Tropicalia, taking listeners on a narrative journey and a sonic trip. With opening set by Juno-nominated Brazilian Canadian singer-songwriter and bandleader Aline Morales with members of her large format percussion ensemble Baque de Bamba.
Electric Storm Collective IG Electric Storm Collective FB Electric Storm Website
Aline Morales Instagram Aline Morales Facebook Aline Morales Website
WED JUNE 4, 2025
Joaquin Nuñez & Habana Safari with Dayramir González + Natasha Roldán
Co-presented with Latin Jazz Net
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert – $35 ADV at EVENTBRITE
Don’t miss an incredible night of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin folk as Joaquin Nuñez & Habana Safari are joined by special guest pianist Dayramir Gonzalez, direct from New York City. Opening set by Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Natasha Roldán. Co-presented with Latin Jazz Net.
Joaquin Nunez Instagram Joaquin Nunez Facebook
Dayramir Gonzalez Website Dayramir Gonzalez Instagram Gonzalez Facebook
Natasha Roldan Instagram Natasha Roldan Facebook Natasha Roldan Website
THURS JUNE 5, 2025
Passarim
João Leão’s contemporary tribute Antonio Carlos Jobim with special guest Igor Caracas
Lula Lounge –7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert – $20 – $25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Passarim is a reunion of four Brazilian musicians and songwriters who share a love for Brazilian music, specially the Bossa Nova of Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto.
The project started in 2017 as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of Jobim’s first gold album Passarim (1987). From São Paulo’s intense indie music scene, João Leão, Tika, Kika and Igor Caracas carefully adapted the album’s original vocal and orchestral arrangements into a reduced formation with unique style, arriving at a renewed Bossa Nova vibe with vocal effects, electric guitars, synths and a touch of psychedelia.
João Leão Instagram João Leão Facebook Passarim Website
THURS JUNE 5, 2025
Samba Reggae Festival Opening Night featuring Bateria Batuki (San Francisco), Batucada Abrace (Vancouver) & Marcia Castro (Brazil)
Lula Lounge –8:30 PM Doors, 9:30 PM Concert $15 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
The 4th Annual International Samba Reggae Festival kicks off with performances by visiting blocos (drumming ensembles) and this year’s special guest percussion leaders Mestre Jair Rezende, Mestre Pato and Lenynha Oliveira alongside the celebrated Sao Paolo based singer Marcia Castro and Toronto’s own Tdot Batu stage band.
Marcia Castro Instagram Marcia Castro Facebook
FRI JUNE 6, 2025
Lengaīa Salsa Brava with Noderlis Valdes
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 10 PM Concert $20 – $30 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Or reserve for dInner & Show $69 option at Lula.ca/reservations
Lengaïa Salsa Brava is a Juno-nominated 12-piece multi-awarded Canadian orchestra based in Montreal and created in 2012 by French Guyanese trombone player Giany Huyghues-Despointes. As its hometown, the orchestra is multicultural and has 7 different nationalities: Colombia, French Guyana, Venezuela, Peru, Quebec, Spain, and the Dominican Republic. Lengaïa has collaborated with several international artists from the world of salsa such as Ismael Miranda, Ismael Rivera Jr and Jimmy Bosch, and is well listed in the new world-known emerging salsa orchestras. Lengaïa has 2 albums: Impacto (2018, Label IM) and The Gold Diggers (2020, Label Lulaworld Records).
Lengaīa Salsa Brava Instagram Lengaīa Salsa Brava Facebook
SAT JUNE 7, 2025
La Borinqueña tribute to Siembra featuring Luis Franco
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 10 PM Concert $20 – $40 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Or reserve for dInner & Show $69 option at Lula.ca/reservations
One of the most iconic salsa albums of all time gets the Toronto treatment as an all-star ensemble brings the explosive energy of Siembra to the Lula Lounge stage. Originally released in 1978, Siembra was a groundbreaking collaboration between Rubén Blades and Willie Colón, fusing irresistible rhythms with razor-sharp social commentary. At Lulaworld 2025, La Borinqueña Orquestra—known for their powerhouse brass and classic-meets-cutting-edge sound—reignites these salsa anthems with electrifying vocals by Venezuelan powerhouse Luis Franco. Expect nothing less than a full-on musical throwdown that will have dancers spinning and heads nodding all night long.
Before the band heats up the stage, take your salsa game to the next level with a pre-show lesson by local legend Oscar Naranjo. Whether you’re a seasoned salsero or just finding your feet, this is your chance to get into the groove before diving into the fiery pulse of La Borinqueña’s tribute. A project born at Lulaworld in 2016 and rooted in Puerto Rican musical traditions, La Borinqueña has grown into a mainstay of Toronto’s Latin music scene—thanks to bassist and bandleader Ruddy Bolaños. This is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of salsa history, a love letter to Puerto Rico, and a sweaty, joy-filled night that’s pure Lulaworld magic.
SUN JUNE 8, 2025
Lulaworld Closing Party at Drom Taberna
Drom Taberna – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert – Details TBA
LULAWORLD AT DO WEST FEST JUNE 6 to 8th
Once again, Lulaworld 2025 will culminate in a 3 day outdoor street party at the Lulaworld stage at Do West Fest. With performers hailing from El Salvador, Montreal, Vancouver, São Paulo, San Francisco and Ottawa, this year’s block party showcases a stunning line up of Latin jazz, Afrobeats, reggae, and salsa. Highlights include Boogát, Afrique Like Me, KAR33M, Norderlis Valdes, Marcia Castro, Chuskupura, Reggaddiction, Niña Volcán and Rachel Therrien. Part concert, part cultural exchange, Lulaworld at Do West is where local street party meets global celebration. Full lineup at lulaworld.ca.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Lulaworld Festival is made possible by generous support from Toronto Arts Council, The City of Toronto, The Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Creates, The Government of Ontario, Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, and The Government of Canada. The 19th annual festival will be presented in collaboration with Little Portugal Toronto BIA, Do West Fest, Drom Taberna, Uma Nota Culture, Latin Jazz Network and The International Samba Reggae Festival.
Lulaworld at Lula Lounge Artist Bios
ALX VELIZ
With a sound that has no borders, Alx Veliz’s music reflects his upbringing in a Guatemalan and Jamaican home in Toronto, Canada with influences from reggae, dancehall, salsa and Latin pop. A star on the Latin Canadian music scene since his debut single “Dancing Kizomba,” hit the Billboard charts in 2015, Alx has continued to build his crossover story as a composer, songwriter and producer — bridging the culture gap between Latin and urban pop music.
ALINE MORALES
Aline Morales is a Brazilian musician, singer-songwriter, and percussionist based in Toronto, renowned for her transformative influence on the Canadian music scene. A tireless promoter of Brazilian culture, Aline’s vibrant sound blends traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary influences, creating an unforgettable fusion that resonates across genres. As a Juno-nominated artist, Aline’s contributions to music have garnered both critical and audience acclaim. She is a prominent figure in the Toronto music community, playing a key role in the Kune World Orchestra and collaborating in a multitude of diverse projects across the city. Her work has not only enriched the local music scene but has also helped raise the profile of Brazilian music in Canada and beyond. Aline’s artistry extends beyond her performances—she actively advocates for the promotion of Brazilian culture, ensuring its traditions remain at the heart of her musical endeavors. Whether through her evocative songwriting or her masterful percussion skills, Aline continues to make an indelible mark on the Canadian and international music landscape.
ANDY RUBAL
Blending the infectious rhythms of salsa and timba with the smooth sensibility of Montreal’s jazz and pop scene, Andy’s music is a dynamic expression of his Cuban roots reimagined for a global stage. His velvety vocals and masterful piano work are woven into rich arrangements that speak to dancers and dreamers alike—music full of joy, heart, and groove.
Andy began his musical journey in Cuba at just six years old as a singer with the group Baby Salsa. He went on to study classical piano and earned a degree in composition from Havana’s Instituto Superior de Arte in 2013. As music director for Waldo Mendoza and touring collaborator with flutist Orlando “Maraca” Valle, Andy toured Europe and the U.S., while also working as an arranger for artists including Raúl Paz, Juan Guillermo, and Gabriel Tchiema.
His 2016 debut album El que Busca Encuentra (EGREM) earned a nomination for Best Salsa Album by a New Artist at the 2017 Cuba Disco Awards. Since relocating to Montreal, Andy has built a strong presence, performing at major venues like Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill and the Festival Nuits d’Afrique. In 2023, he headlined Nuits de la Havane at the Casino de Montréal.
His 2022 EP 75° featured a duet with Florence K and continued his upward trajectory with the breakout hit Enamorado en Montréal, now with over 16,000 streams. With two new singles, Cantarle Un Son and Caminando Va, already racking up 60,000 streams and 200,000 YouTube views, Andy is poised for a major breakthrough with a full-length album in 2025—one that fuses the soul of Cuba with the sonic palette of his adopted home.
BATERIA BATUKI
Bateria Batuki is a San Francisco–based collective that blends Brazilian percussion, dance, electronic melodic instruments, and vocals into a high-energy fusion of Latin music, drawing from Afro-Caribbean, hip hop, and funk traditions. Known for their complex polyrhythms and dynamic movements, Batuki delivers vibrant performances that celebrate cultural expression and community resilience. Formed in 2020 in response to the pandemic, Batuki began with outdoor rehearsals and free performances across the Bay Area, creating joyful spaces for connection during a time of isolation. The group is made up of teaching artists, cultural ambassadors, and community workers who are committed to sharing and sustaining Afro-Brazilian traditions.
Inspired by the word Batuque—a ceremonial practice of dance and drumming rooted in Black Brazilian communities—Batuki carries forward the legacy of rhythm as resistance. Historically, these gatherings served as a way for Afro-Brazilians to preserve their culture and resist oppression. Today, Batuki builds on that legacy, using music and movement to strengthen cultural bonds, uplift communities, and ensure that individuals and traditions continue to thrive.
BATUCADA ABRACE
Batucada Abrace is a dynamic collective of immigrant musicians rooted in an intersectional feminist community that values inclusivity, empowerment, resistance, connection, and transformation. Centering interdependence and collective strength, they use the universal language of rhythm to build connections that transcend cultural boundaries.
The group’s story is closely tied to the Abrace collective—a network of Brazilian immigrants in Vancouver who have been organizing against far-right governments and social injustice since 2018. Through protests, cultural events, and community gatherings, Abrace has fostered resistance and solidarity, laying the groundwork for what would become Batucada.
Emerging in 2023 from this movement, Batucada has evolved into a space where Brazilian rhythms, activism, and community-building converge. The group meets weekly to rehearse, study music, and share lived experiences. While they welcome participation from local allies, the collective’s core is made up of Brazilian members whose cultural heritage deeply informs their musical practice.
Each rhythm they play carries the weight and wisdom of ancestral narratives, resonating with histories of resistance against dictatorship, imperialism, and globalization—forces that have long marginalized African, Indigenous, and non-white cultures. Through drumming, Batucada honours and reclaims these legacies, keeping them alive in movement and sound.
BRUNO CAPINAN
is a captivating performer who enthrals audiences with his unique blend of indie-pop and bossa-nova inspired rhythms, fused with an extravagant performance. Hailing from the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, Capinan infuses his music with the vibrant rhythms and rich cultural heritage of his homeland, while also drawing inspiration from a diverse array of global influences. His sound, characterized by intricate melodies, poetic lyricism, and infectious grooves, transports listeners on a sonic journey. Capinan is an ambassador of Brazilian tropicalia – a dissident musical movement during the Brazilian dictatorship of the late 1960s. Capinan has performed around the globe, including the renowned Coliseu de Lisboa (Portugal) supporting Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil, as well as at the Montreux Jazz Festival (Japan), Toronto Jazz Festival (Canada), Rio 2016 Summer Olympics (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), BIME Bogotá (Colombia), and at the inauguration of the Japan House São Paulo with Japanese composers Ryuichi Sakamoto and Jun Miyake in 2017. His artistic endeavours have been met with critical acclaim, including reviews in The Guardian (UK) Libération (France), and prestigious awards such as Mundial Montreal’s Stingray Award 2023 for Best Showcase Performance.
CAFE CUBANO
Led by piano player Jorge Betancourt and featuring some of the city’s top players, Cafe Cubano was one of the first all-Cuban, full salsa bands formed in Canada. The group has spawned numerous other projects and continues to be a trailblazer in Toronto’s timba scene. Born in Camangüey, Cuba, the son of a famous symphonic orchestra conductor, Jorge Betancourt began his career with Charanga 86 before going on to work with Orquesta Trinima, Salsometro and the influential Valentine y los del Caribe. In Canada, he has earned a reputation for his animated stage presence and an inventive fusion of salsa, RnB, funk and timba with traditional son and guaracha forms.
DAYRAMIR GONZALEZ
Dayramir began his professional career as a pianist and composer with former Irakere member, Oscar Valdes’ Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble Diákara at the age of 16. Since winning Havana’s JoJazz festival in 2004 and 2005, Dayramir has gone from winning three Cubadisco awards for his 2007 debut album “Dayramir & Habana enTRANCé” to becoming Berklee College of Music’s first Cuban national “Presidential Scholarship” recipient to performing in 15,000-seat stadiums with legends like Chucho and Bebo Valdes and headlining Carnegie Hall, representing the young generation of Afro-Cuban jazz.
The culmination of his journey as a young Havana-native who continues and brings the Afro-Cuban music legacy to New York is synthesized in his latest album “The Grand Concourse,” a name inspired by the thoroughfare that runs through the Bronx and a concept that reflects the uncommonly dynamic range of pieces from the pulsating West African bass motif found in Situaciones en 12/8 to the contemporary take on the classical Cuban tradition of the late 19th century to the haunting orchestral jazz ballad of Blood Brothers. Dayramir is making his mark as a leading international composer, orchestrator, bandleader and pianist.
ELECTRIC STORM COLLECTIVE
THE ELECTRIC STORM COLLECTIVE is a brand new chamber group that blends jazz, folk, pop, classical, rock, and Brazilian musical influences to create a sound that is intimate yet expansive, nostalgic and new.
The collective was founded by composer Carlie Howell and poet Eva Tihanyi, to perform their collaborative work “When Lightning Strikes The River,” a narrative suite of 14 songs about the feminized queer experience, romance, partnership, friendship, mental health, depression, grief, redemption, spirituality, and ultimately, love.
The evocative lyrics of this suite are set to lush harmonies, organically shifting time signatures and intricate ostinatos, brought to life by strings, horns, Brazilian percussion, and bespoke female vocals.
The members of this collective form an elaborate constellation of connections and working relationships between the musicians. They each bring a unique set of musical backgrounds, skills, Each musician brings expertise on their instrument, experience as arrangers, composers, and bandleaders, contributing not only to the performance, but to the process itself.
GRACIE ELLA
Gracie Ella is an RnB jazz singer/songwriter based in Burlington Ontario. She has been performing locally for 10+ years and has written and released 8 singles which have accumulated almost a million streams and landed on several spotify playlists including Mood Ring, New Music Friday and more! Gracie has also written for other artists. In 2021, Rnb artist Jojo released a record called “Trying Not To Think About It” where she included Gracie’s original song called B.I.D.
Gracie Ella on Spotify Gracie Ella on Instagram
KUBLA
A fresh perspective on soul/R&B” would be an understatement. Listening to Kubla for the first time feels intimate and electrifying—as if you found a secret key to a hidden room in your own soul. Raised next to an endless ocean, among the towering trees of Canada’s West Coast, his dreamy, soulful sound and personality are reminiscent of the magic of his environment. Kubla takes a lifetime of experience with him onstage, breathing entirely new life into his recorded music through his sensational skills as a jazz musician and his charming presence, both solo with a guitar/looper or with a band of incredible musicians. With the astonishing success of his independently released first two albums, Close to the Sun and Sounds from Deep Down, Kubla showcases his undeniable multi-faceted excellence to a worldwide audience as a producer, songwriter, bandleader, singer, and guitar player with soul music designed to move his listeners both inside and out. Kubla on Spotify Kubla on Instagram
LADOM ENSEMBLE
Ladom Ensemble is a mini-orchestra made up of four musicians who play a unique acoustic fusion drawn from Western classical, klezmer, rock, tango, jazz, east coast traditional and classical Persian influences – music that is distilled into something distinctly Canadian.
All are classically and fearlessly virtuosic each member believes in taking improvisational risks, listening deeply and responding spontaneously to one another. Outside of Ladom, they work as composers, arrangers, studio musicians, teachers and soloists. They value friendship, mutual respect and great food.
Ladom was founded nearly 20 years ago by a pair of music students at the University of Toronto. It grew into a quartet and took its current configuration in 2018.
Pouya Hamidi, piano, was born in Tehran and is the only remaining member of the original duo. Adam Campbell, percussion, is from Summerside, PEI. Michael Bridge, accordion, grew up in Calgary. Beth Silver, cello, is from the Toronto area. All have obtained advanced degrees in music. Ladom has played countless shows across Canada and has worked with choreographers, animators and visual artists.
MARCIA CASTRO
Marcia Castro is a dynamic and innovative Brazilian singer from Bahia, known for her eclectic musical style and deep connection to her cultural roots. She began her career at 16 and gained early recognition with the Braskem Award in 2006, which led to the release of her debut album Pecadinho. After relocating to São Paulo, she continued to evolve artistically, releasing De Pés no Chão in 2012 and touring the country. Castro is also known for her collaborative project Pipoca Moderna, which united some of Brazil’s most iconic artists on stage. Over the years, she has explored various musical genres, from MPB to electropop, and debuted as a composer with her 2014 album Das Coisas Que Surgem. In 2021, she released AXÉ, a tribute to 1990s Bahian music, and in 2023, she celebrated northeastern traditions with the Pipoca Junina Vol. 1 EP. Her latest work, Roda de Samba Reggae (2024), is a vibrant celebration of samba reggae, recorded live in Salvador and featuring notable guest artists. With this project, Marcia Castro not only honors the legacy of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the genre’s Black cultural roots but also reaffirms her role as a powerful voice in preserving and reimagining Brazilian music for new generations.
SWA ORCHESTRA
SWA, short for Salseros With Attitude, is a dynamic Latin music group formed in 2016 by three founding members—Alex Naar, Andres Magno, and Jairo Acuña. Initially brought together through their work in backing a leading Latin hip-hop group, the trio’s shared passion for music evolved into a project that has since become a staple of Toronto’s vibrant Latin music scene. Known for their exciting blend of salsa and Latin rhythms, SWA has captivated audiences across the region, performing at festivals, venues, and events. Over the years, they’ve had the honor of supporting Grammy-nominated artists such as Charlie Aponte, Ismael Miranda, Adonis Puentes, and Fito Blanco, further cementing their reputation in the Latin music world. With each member bringing their extensive experience—Alex Naar’s saxophone and vocals, Andres Magno’s Uruguayan Candombe-inspired percussion, and Jairo Acuña’s masterful conga playing—SWA delivers a unique and innovative sound. The addition of talented musicians like Marco De La Cruz, Jonathan Amador, Gerardo Magno, Marcelo Baladan, and Ricky Franco strengthens their diverse and bold musical vision. Currently, SWA is focused on blending their Latin heritage with a variety of global musical genres, offering an exciting fusion that promises to push creative boundaries and connect with new audiences. Keep an eye out for their next electrifying performance!
LULAWORLD AT DO WEST FEST ARTIST BIOS
AFRIQUE LIKE ME
Afrique Like Me is a Toronto-based collective comprising Razaq El Toro, Martin Ses and Sonic Griot.
The collective curates musical experiences that celebrate art, electronic dance, underground and alternative music from across Africa and the diaspora. Afrique Like Me is also a pioneer of Eko Electronic, a fusion of alternative electronic music, funk, underground elements, West African music and Afrobeats.
Known for its event series, which bears the same name, Afrique Like Me started with an intimate after-hours party in Toronto’s west end. The party grew into an event held in unconventional spaces, and is now a mainstay on the city’s social calendar.
The collective has performed in Canada as well as internationally, sharing the stage with acts such as Francis Mercier, Shimza, Kasango, Citizen Deep, AMÈMÈ, Keys N Krates, and Awen; at festivals such as Electric Island, Pride Toronto, Bloom and Lumaterra; and at numerous venues, including Drake Hotel, History, The Velvet Underground, CODA, Grand Bizarre and Soluna.
Afrique Like Me is currently working on its highly anticipated debut album, slated for release in 2025.
Afrique Like Me was established in 2019 and is run by Razaq El Toro (Razaq Onakoya),
Martin Ses (Martin Ogun), and Sonic Griot (Anowa Quarcoo).
Boogát
In Spanish, French, or English, Boogát raps and sings the universality of cultural minorities, exploring themes related to identity, migration, belonging, and love through thought-provoking lyrics that bounce between seriousness and humour.
Boogát is one of the blue chips of the Canadian Global Music scene, with an innovative proposition that is always a party starter. His unique blend of styles, mixing hip-hop with modern Latin-American music, electronica, and more traditional genres, has made him globally renowned with constant touring, nonstop collaborations, and numerous accolades & awards (Junos, Gamiq, Adisq, etc.)
His latest record, Del Horizonte, addresses the subjects of decolonization, subversion, immigration and has collaborations with El Dusty, Mateus Vidal (Olodum), DJ Shub, Okan, Tannergaard, Ahmed Moneka, Waahli, Diogo Ramos, Maï, Classic Roots, and Mestre Pato (T Dot Batu).
CHUSKAPUR
Chuskupura is a contemporary Andean 4-piece band formed in 2019. It is made up of young musicians of the Kichwa Otavalo and Kichwa Puruwa Nations that seek to emulate the traditional sound of various Kichwa Nations of Ecuador while innovating through original compositions with modern form and harmony.
KAR33M
Afrobeats artist KAR33M is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most dynamic voices in the Canadian music scene, blending the rhythmic power of his Nigerian heritage with a global perspective. With a performance style that is as theatrical as it is musically compelling, he brings an immersive storytelling element to his shows—part ritual, part spectacle. Drawing inspiration from icons like Fela Kuti and contemporary voices such as Asa and Obongjayar, KAR33M crafts music that pulses with intention, speaking to both personal and collective truths. His 2023 appearance at Felabration in Lagos alongside Afrobeat royalty not only cemented his credibility in the genre’s birthplace but also marked him as a cultural bridge-builder between Africa and the diaspora.
Beyond the stage, KAR33M is a passionate advocate for the education of African-rooted musical form and artistic empowerment. His landmark initiative teaching Afrobeats to 1,000 students in Ottawa, and his work as founder of Woke Studios—a collective spotlighted in Bell TV1’s documentary series on Afrobeats in Canada—positions him as a force for cultural preservation and innovation. With honours including Canada’s Fela Kuti Afrobeat Innovation Award and a slate of high-profile performances across North America and Africa, KAR33M isn’t simply riding the Afrobeats wave—he’s shaping where it goes next. As he prepares to launch Felabration Canada 2025 and expands his global collaborations, KAR33M remains driven by a deeper purpose: to tell stories that heal, energize, and connect.
LENGAÏA SALSA BRAVA
Lengaïa Salsa Brava is a Juno-nominated 12-piece multi-awarded Canadian orchestra based in Montreal and created in 2012 by French Guyanese trombone player Giany Huyghues-Despointes. As its hometown, the orchestra is multicultural and has 7 different nationalities: Colombia, French Guyana, Venezuela, Peru, Quebec, Spain, and the Dominican Republic. Lengaïa has collaborated with several international artists from the world of salsa such as Ismael Miranda, Ismael Rivera Jr and Jimmy Bosch, and is well listed in the new world-known emerging salsa orchestras. Lengaïa has 2 albums: Impacto (2018, Label IM) and The Gold Diggers (2020, Label Lulaworld Records).
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LENYNHA OLIVEIRA
São Paulo-based percussionist Lenynha Oliveira has toured extensively with the celebrated Afro-Brazilian singer and composer Luedji Luna. A dedicated percussion educator, Lenynha offers online and in-person classes in Brazil. Oliveria is a strong advocate for women percussionists.
MARCIA CASTRO
Marcia Castro is a dynamic and innovative Brazilian singer from Bahia, known for her eclectic musical style and deep connection to her cultural roots. She began her career at 16 and gained early recognition with the Braskem Award in 2006, which led to the release of her debut album Pecadinho. After relocating to São Paulo, she continued to evolve artistically, releasing De Pés no Chão in 2012 and touring the country. Castro is also known for her collaborative project Pipoca Moderna, which united some of Brazil’s most iconic artists on stage. Over the years, she has explored various musical genres, from MPB to electropop, and debuted as a composer with her 2014 album Das Coisas Que Surgem. In 2021, she released AXÉ, a tribute to 1990s Bahian music, and in 2023, she celebrated northeastern traditions with the Pipoca Junina Vol. 1 EP. Her latest work, Roda de Samba Reggae (2024), is a vibrant celebration of samba reggae, recorded live in Salvador and featuring notable guest artists. With this project, Marcia Castro not only honors the legacy of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the genre’s Black cultural roots but also reaffirms her role as a powerful voice in preserving and reimagining Brazilian music for new generations.
MESTRE JAIR REZENDE
Born in Candeal Pequeno – Brotas – Salvador – Bahia, Mestre Jair Rezende is a highly accomplished music professional with a diverse career that spans artistic, musical, and executive production roles. He has worked as a musical coordinator, percussionist, and producer for national and international artists such as Ivaldo Bertazzo, Naná Vasconcelos, Gilberto Gil, and Carlinhos Brown. Rezende has contributed to major projects like the UNICEF conference in Florence, performances with Pina Bausch in Germany, and music festivals like the Londrina Music Festival. He has also worked on key recordings with Timbalada, Arnaldo Antunes, Elza Soares, and Ricky Martin, among others.
In addition to his artistic work, Rezende is deeply involved in his community, particularly in Candeal, where he fosters social and professional relationships through music. He forms music groups, teaches in public schools, and is the founder of the band Lactomia, which is known for working with conventional instruments and using recycled materials to make its own instruments and costumes. Mestre Jair Rezende. He oversees the selection, direction, and musical production of 300-400 percussionists performing with Timbalada and Carlinhos Brown’s Zárabe group. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of ALAS – Lactomia Social Action Association, musical director of Timbalada, and percussion professor at the Pracatum School of Music and Technology. He also directs the ALAS NGO, which focuses on artistic education and the musical and social development of children and adolescents in Candeal.
PASSARIM
Passarim is a reunion of four Brazilian musicians and songwriters who share a love for Brazilian music, especially the Bossa Nova of Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto.
The project started in 2017 as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of Jobim’s first gold album, Passarim (1987). From São Paulo’s intense indie music scene, João Leão, Tika, Kika, and Igor Caracas carefully adapted the album’s original vocal and orchestral arrangements into a reduced formation with a unique style, arriving at a renewed Bossa Nova vibe with vocal effects, electric guitars, synths, and a touch of psychedelia. The performance is classy, captivating, and magnetic. Other Jobim masterpieces are also added to the show, which has been showcased with great success throughout the main jazz venues and theatres in and around São Paulo since 2017, often featuring very special guests such as Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum, two of the original members from Jobim’s ensemble. In 2024, the group proudly presented its first international tour through Canada.
NINA VOLCAN
Niña Volcán is a dynamic three-piece ensemble at the forefront of the emerging “Canadian cumbia” scene. Comprised of seasoned musicians Manuel Rivas, Adlar Gross, and Pāvils Hawkins, the band creates a unique blend of cumbia, electronica, jazz, and afrobeat, offering listeners an exciting, danceable musical experience.
The band’s foundation lies in the belief that the rhythms of cumbia are universally accessible, capable of connecting listeners of all backgrounds. With a desire to expand musical horizons, Niña Volcán blends the familiar with the new, making cumbia a gateway for audiences to discover a broader spectrum of sounds. As two Canadians and a Venezuelan, their project serves as a bridge, strengthening the cultural ties between North American and Latin traditions while offering a fresh, innovative perspective on both.
The project’s inspiration stems from a transformative journey taken by Venezuelan-born Manuel Rivas in 2022. While reconnecting with his Latin American roots in Bogotá, Colombia, Manuel delved into the vibrant local music scene, rediscovering the power and versatility of cumbia. His exploration of Colombia’s record shops sparked a desire to compose music that integrates traditional Latin American styles with his North American influences in jazz, funk, and electronic music.
Since its inception, Niña Volcán has made notable strides. By spring 2024, they had released two singles, built a 12-song repertoire, and performed their debut show at a local community arts festival. They’ve since gained recognition for their electrifying live shows at venues such as Drom Taberna, BSMT 254, and festivals like Bloom and Geary Art Crawl. Their performances continue to attract diverse audiences, eager to experience the captivating fusion of traditional and modern sounds.
Niña Volcán’s musical inspiration is rooted in the long-standing tradition of cumbia, adapting to reflect the diverse cultural influences of the regions it touches. Drawing from the recent revival of cumbia across the Americas, the band is inspired by movements such as the early 2000s Argentine dance parties of Zizek and the experimental Bogotá scene with artists like The Meridian Brothers, Frente Cumbiero, Rompe Rayo, and La Sonora Mazurén. They also look to North American cumbia acts such as Dos Santos, Money Chicha, and La Lom for inspiration.
Combining traditional cumbia rhythms with modern textures, electronic effects, synthesizers, and improvised jazz solos, Niña Volcán presents a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new. Their music aims to introduce audiences to this vibrant Latin genre in a way that resonates with contemporary tastes, promising an unforgettable live experience. As they prepare to release their debut album in 2025, backed by an OAC recording grant, Niña Volcán continues to push the boundaries of the cumbia genre, bringing its rich, evolving sound to new audiences across Canada and beyond.
RACHEL THERRIEN
Trumpeter and composer Rachel Therrien stands as one of the most accomplished and forward-thinking voices in contemporary jazz. Based between New York and Montreal, Therrien’s career spans continents and traditions, deftly weaving influences from Afro-Latin music, straight-ahead jazz, and global sounds into a practice that’s as emotionally resonant as it is technically dazzling. Her trumpet playing, marked by a rich, burnished tone and an improvisational fluidity, has earned her accolades from DownBeat, All About Jazz, and Radio-Canada, not to mention multiple Juno and ADISQ nominations and a Grammy nod for her work with Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Whether fronting her own ensembles or guesting with the likes of Tony Allen, Anat Cohen, or Michel Legrand, Therrien brings both finesse and fire to the bandstand.
Her discography reveals an artist in constant motion, from the intimate lyricism of her Paris-recorded VENA to the expansive, guest-packed Latin jazz journey of Mi Hogar, recorded across Montreal, Toronto, and New York. Therrien’s impact extends far beyond recordings and performances—she’s a committed educator and community builder, championing original music through her Montreal Jazz Composers Series and mentoring the next generation of artists through workshops and festivals around the world. Trained at institutions in Montreal, Havana, and Banff, and shaped by mentors like Laurie Frink and Vijay Iyer, Therrien embodies the rare kind of artist whose technical command is matched by her vision for jazz as a living, inclusive conversation.
REGGADDICTION
Reggaddiction is a 10-piece reggae band from Toronto, Ontario, that has been spreading the spirit of unity and community through their music since their formation in 2019. Fusing the timeless rhythms of Jamaican reggae with Canadian influences, Reggaddiction crafts a sound that not only transports listeners to sun-soaked tropical landscapes but also fosters a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.
Led by male and female vocalists D.M., the soulful Toya Monique, and Sunray Grennan—the son of Jamaican drumming legend Winston Grennan, who helped define reggae’s One Drop rhythm—the band embraces collaboration at the heart of their musical journey. Each member contributes to creating a rich, vibrant sound that speaks to the universal themes of love, resilience, and unity.
Reggaddiction’s debut album, “Ganja Harvest” (2023), is a testament to the band’s commitment to cross-cultural collaboration and musical innovation. Reimagining Neil Young’s classic “Harvest” album through the lens of reggae, “Ganja Harvest” bridges generations and genres, weaving together the distinct worlds of rock and reggae. Described as “A match made in Rasta Heaven” by 104.7FM (Australia), the album has been celebrated internationally and by Canadian outlets such as CBC for its ability to unite different musical styles into a harmonious whole. Each track serves as a reminder of the power of music to connect people across boundaries.
Reggaddiction has shared the stage with popular Jamaican acts such as Sister Nancy, Macka B, as well as Canadian groups such as The Sadies and Okan. Their performances have been a highlight at key festivals and events, including Peterborough Folk Fest, Kingsville Music Festival, Jamaica Day, and the Toronto Bob Marley Birthday Tribute show.
More than just a band, Reggaddiction embodies the ethos of ONE LOVE in everything they do. Their live performances are a powerful celebration of community, infused with the positive vibes of ska and reggae culture. Whether on stage or in the studio, Reggaddiction’s goal is to build connections, spark conversations, and inspire collective joy. They believe that music can unite people from all walks of life, creating a space where collaboration and oneness thrive.
With every note, Reggaddiction invites audiences to join them in a shared experience of music, positivity, and togetherness. A group that strongly believes in the unifying power of reggae music, to bring different artists and music enthusiasts together.