February 4, 2009
By ANNIE ALLEMAN For GO
Translated, “Rumba Sinfonica” means “symphonic party,” and that’s what audience members will experience Feb. 7 when the Grammy-nominated Cuban band Tiempo Libre performs with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.
“It’s a Cuban party,” said Tiempo Libre’s Jorge Gomez.
“Rumba Sinfonica” was written by Venezuelan composer and Michigan State University professor Ricardo Lorenz, in collaboration with Gomez. It premiered in November 2007 by the Minnesota Orchestra.
The piece combines Cuba’s distinctive urban and salsa rhythms with a classical symphony orchestra. It’s an altogether unique concept, as the rumba guides the musical content from beginning to end.
“It’s like a journey. It’s like a question and answer, then we talk all together,” Gomez said of the way the band will perform with the DuPage Symphony. “It’s a challenge too, to keep the sound and the rhythm between the orchestra and the band.”
Gomez serves as pianist, music director and arranger for Tiempo Libre (which translates as “free time.”)
“The reaction has been very good,” he said of “Rumba Sinfonica.” “People dance, and at the end of the show we sing with the orchestra.”
During some shows, Tiempo Libre plays its rumba music during the second half of the show. Probably not this time though, he said.
“I think we’ll just have one set with the orchestra. Sometimes people ask for an encore and we play as a band.”
The band’s members grew up studying classical music at premier conservatories in their native Cuba, and were forbidden from playing American styles like rock, blues or jazz. (Naturally, this didn’t stop them from doing so.)
Now, with “Rumba Sinfonica,” they can blend the classical music they grew up on with the traditional Cuban music they love.
This strict structure led to a profound proficiency on their instruments, to the point where the members are comfortable playing with an orchestra or a rock band. This skill enables them to play with a different orchestra in towns across the country, from San Antonio to Michigan to Minnesota.
“It’s a very good base,” Gomez said of their classical training.
Recently signed to the Sony label, the band will release “Bach in Havana” in May. The album will fuse the famous composer’s music with Afro-Cuban rhythms.
Meanwhile, Naperville audiences can expect a crowd mixed with old and young that will sing and dance along.
“People have to be prepared to dance with us. It’s a party. You have to enjoy the show and be a part of it.”
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra performs “Rumba Sinfonica with Tiempo Libre” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago St., Naperville. Tickets cost between $10 to $27; Call 630-637-7469. 
