Meet Sol Música, the Music Headliner at This Year's "A Novel Tasting"
 |
| Sol Música will be music headliner at BPL's "A Novel Tasting" next Thursday, April 11 |
The Birmingham Public Library’s third annual A Novel Tasting is set to take place next Thursday, April 11, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Central Library downtown. Presented by the Friends Foundation of BPL, the evening will feature a tasting of fine wines, handcrafted beers, and locally distilled spirits, as well as delicious food, complimentary drinks, a silent auction, and live music from Sol Música.
The Birmingham-based Sol Música is a collaboration of musicians and artists from around the world. Headed by native Peruvian Arturo LaCruz, the band boasts distinct international influences, and its artistic output is a mélange of world music, jazz, and improvisation. Sol Música’s fresh arrangements and impromptu creations were first launched at UAB’s International Festival in 2017.
Sol Música is comprised of Arturo LaCruz (keyboard, guitar), Geni Skendo (flute), Michael Saddekni (saxophone), and Grammy-winning musician Dave Crenshaw (percussion, piano, guitar). LaCruz incorporates additional instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, and poets in each of his shows. The late Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins performed his spoken-word poems at many of Sol Música’s concerts.
At A Novel Tasting, Sol Música will welcome special guests Enimer Rodriguez (vocals), Kirsten Shaw (vocals), Jacob Edwards (bass guitar), and Tommy Townsend (guitar) to its regular lineup. Beautiful musical tapestries will be woven by this talented group next Thursday night, so prepare to enjoy music like you’ve never heard before!
Participation in A Novel Tasting will help the Birmingham Public Library fulfill its mission of providing the highest-quality experience of lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment to the community. Proceeds from the event will fund programs at all BPL locations.
Sol Música is…
Dave Crenshaw (percussion, piano, guitar). His multi-instrument skills have taken David “Dave” Crenshaw to different parts of the world to perform with such well-known artists as Maxwell, PJ Morton, and Snoop Dogg. Music has always been a part of Crenshaw’s life, his father having served as band director at Ramsay High School for over 40 years. In 2019 and 2021, Crenshaw’s recordings with Morton won Grammy Awards, and in 2023 he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Crenshaw has also worked with the Alabama Blues Project , which provides educational programs to children and adults. To read about Crenshaw’s most recent project, click here
Arturo LaCruz (keyboard, guitar). A native of Peru, LaCruz is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He played his first concert at seven years of age while studying at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música (now the Universidad Nacional de Música) in Lima. After studying composition and arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston, he studied under Dr. Mantle Hood, the founder of the field of ethnomusicology, at the University of Massachusetts. LaCruz moved to Birmingham to attend Samford University, where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Theology and the Arts and a Master of Divinity, specializing in mentorship for artists and the creative community. He is the founder of LaCruz Media and the Birmingham Music Center, where he practices his craft and teaches music and wellness.
Michael Saddekni (saxophone). Saddekni is a woodwind player and teacher from Birmingham who began playing the saxophone in sixth grade at Pizitz Middle School. Following his passion for music, Saddekni attended Samford University and graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Saxophone Performance. He went on to obtain a B.A. in Jazz Studies at the University of North Florida, followed by a Master’s in Jazz Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. While living in Philadelphia, Saddekni interned at the WRTI radio station with renowned radio host J Michael Harrison and taught at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz under Lovett Hines, one of the world’s greatest jazz instructors. Saddekni’s passion for teaching brought him back to his hometown where he passes his jazz knowledge on to Birmingham’s younger generation.
Geni Skendo (Irish flute, penny whistle, Persian nay, Japanese shakuhachi, custom-made fluorescent orange contrabass flute). The Boston Globe calls Skendo a “virtuoso” in recognition of his unique blend of jazz, free jazz, and world music. After a successful performing career in his native Albania, Geni moved to the United States to raise his jazz playing to a higher level. Studies at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory led to a deep, ongoing involvement with the Boston music scene. Geni has performed with acts as diverse as the Violent Femmes, Felice Pomeranz, Dave Clark, and Newpoli. Geni now teaches music in Birmingham and performs regularly. Geni has released three albums and performs with a variety of groups that allow him to showcase folk music from his native land along with world music from Latin America, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Japan.
By Margaret Splane, Library Assistant III|Community Engagement & Fundraising
Comments