Artists
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Artists *
Fidel Diaz Castro
Education and Career
Díaz graduated in Audiovisual Media Art from the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) in 1997. He has been a journalist, writer, and director for various publications and media outlets, including Somos Jóvenes, El Caimán Barbudo, and La Jiribilla. He has also been a member of the Hermanos Saíz Association since 1986 and has held various positions, including provincial president and member of the National Directorate.
Music and Troubadour Work
Díaz is also a musician and troubadour, and has released two personal albums, "The Voice of the Illustrated Devil" (2008) and "Los amores del Diablo Ilustrado" (2018). He has been a member of the Musicuba Company catalog and has received awards for his music, including the Cubadisco 2012 Honor Award.
Musician, Composer, Professor
Erdwin Vichot is a renowned Cuban musician, singer, and composer with a career spanning over three decades. Born in Cuba, Erdwin began his musical journey at a young age, influenced by the country's rich cultural heritage.
Throughout his career, Erdwin has participated in numerous national and international festivals, concerts and events, showcasing his talent and passion for music. He has collaborated with various artists and groups, including Albita Rodríguez, Cheo Feliciano, and Mario Darías, and has recorded multiple albums that have received critical acclaim.
Erdwin Vichot
Raul Torres
Raúl Torres Rondón was born in Bayamo, Cuba. Raised in a family that valued music, art, and culture, he developed a passion for music from a young age. His sister Elba, a writer, actress, and director, played a significant role in supporting his creative journey.
A Tireless Singer-Songwriter
Raúl Torres is a dedicated and passionate artist, known for his energetic live performances and meaningful lyrics. With a career spanning over three decades, he continues to captivate audiences with his music, inspiring new generations of musicians and fans alike.
Danielle Boissoneau
A 2Spirit Femme Anishnaabekwe Poet and Artist
Danielle is a proud member of the Old Turtle Clan, a 2Spirit femme Anishnaabekwe from Garden River First Nation, currently residing in Hamilton. She is a poet, artist, and performer who weaves words and sound to embody her dreams of liberation and autonomy.
Artistic Practice
Danielle's artistic practice is rooted in the belief that living artistically is a form of miracle-making. She seeks to acknowledge and translate the miracles in her life into creative projects that inspire and uplift.
Chyler Sewell
Chyler is a creative writer, performer, and facilitator with a passion for storytelling and social justice. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Chyler has established themselves as a talented and dedicated artist.
Ernesto J. Espinoza
A Violinist, Producer and Composer with a Passion for Social Justice
Ernesto J. Espinoza is a Chilean-born violinist and composer who has significantly impacted the music world with his unique style and commitment to social justice. Born in Chile, he was raised in Vancouver, Canada, from the age of four, and began his musical studies at nine. He has collaborated with numerous artists and groups, exploring various genres such as Rock, Blues, Jazz, Salsa, Andean Folk, and Flamenco.
Current Projects
Based in Toronto, Espinoza is the music producer for this festival. His commitment to social justice and passion for music make him a unique and important figure in the music world.
Luis Orbegoso
Known in the latin recording industry as “Luisito”, Luis was born in Lima, Perú in 1971 and moved to Canada in 1972. He became an honoured graduate of the Humber College music program in 1994 and has been a member of the Toronto Musicians Association since 1993. Luisito was a student of Memo Acevedo (professor of percussion at New York University) and jump-started his career as a professional bongo player with Memo’s ground breaking salsa band “Banda Brava” in 1993.
He has performed and/or recorded with Alex Cuba, Luis Mario Ochoa & Cimarrón, Dominicanada, Oscar de León, Hilario Durán, Chucho Valdéz, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Changuito, he Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Nelly Furtado, Mark Quiñones, and far too many more to list here.
Luis is a record producer, percussionist, vocalist and highly sought after teacher, having worked with students and professionals at universities, schools and festivals across Canada and in Germany, Korea and Peru.
Beny Esguerra
Fabian Carvajal
Award winning arts educator, multi instrumentalist, vocalist and community workers a gifted Colombian bassist and double bassist, a graduate of Universidad El Bosque, and holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. His academic training and professional experience have established him as a versatile musician, passionate educator, and dedicated composer.
He has taught electric bass and ensemble performance at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, and also served as a professor of arranging, theory, and composition at the Academia de Artes Guerrero in Bogotá.
As a performer, he has delved into a wide range of genres including gospel, rock, pop, ballad, funk, and jazz—collaborating with renowned artists across South and North America. He was awarded a scholarship by Berklee College of Music to study Jazz Composition and Performance, a testament to his musical excellence.
Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous renowned festivals such as Rock al Parque 2006, Guitar Words, Gospel al Parque, Beaches Jazz Festival 2024, and the Panama Jazz Festival, among many others across North, Central, and South America.
In 2023, he released his debut single “Saint Louis”, part of his first album titled “Travesía”, in which he contributed as a composer, arranger, producer, and bassist. His work reveals a deep artistic sensibility and a unique sonic identity.
Award winning arts educator, multi instrumentalist, vocalist and community worker
Benny Esguerra arrived as a child to Tkaronto (Toronto, Canada) from Bacatá (Bogotá, Colombia) as a political refugee with his parents, who were involved in cultural work and human rights activism. Today, he is an award winning multi-instrumentalist/producer, spoken-word poet, arts educator and community worker. In 2021, he was chosen as the laureate of the 2020 Ontario Arts Foundation Arts Educator Award. Most recently, his songs–from the 2022 JUNO nominated album Northside Kuisi–have been nominated for collaboration of the year at the 2022 International Indigenous Hip Hop Music Awards and have won Music to Life's Hope Rises II song writing contest and international call for songs for social justice.