On June 10th, Ola Fresca, a Cuban-based Brooklyn-bred salsa/son/funk/timba band directed and led vocally by Jose Conde, releases its newest album ELIXIR with a performance starting with a rumba ensemble led by master Cuban percussionist Roman Diaz. I have the honor of opening up the evening with them by performing a Yemayá solo accompanied by the rumba ensemble on batá drums, the traditional Yoruba drums used for Lucumí ceremonies and Afro-Cuban Yoruba folkloric performance. Conde recounts a story of being inspired and influenced by a Yoruba Andabo performance when he was a student at Berklee School of Music in Boston. Yoruba Andabo is one of the greatest Afro-Cuban folkloric companies based in La Habana, Cuba. Diaz performed with the ensemble at this time (the late '90s) as well as Felix "Pupy" Insua, a great dancer/performer, and one of my most influential teachers, who passed away in 2011. The spirit of Pupy will be evoked. The spirit of the orishas will be honored. Ola Fresca (fresh wave) will present its newest work -- a swinging, thoughtful, explosive sound transcending boundaries between salsa and son.