Buika Performs at the Gusman Center on July 9

Concha Buika is not your traditional flamenco singer. Originally born in Equatorial Guinea, she grew up near a gypsy community on the island of Mallorca in Spain --a perfect place for such an artist to lay her foundation. But hers is a non-traditional take on Spain's most traditional sound. Influences...

By Christopher Lopez

June 22, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Concha Buika is not your traditional flamenco singer. Originally born in Equatorial Guinea, she grew up near a gypsy community on the island of Mallorca in Spain --a perfect place for such an artist to lay her foundation. But hers is a non-traditional take on Spain's most traditional sound. Influences ranging from soul to jazz and even funk find their way into the fold, and the end result is a harmonious marriage of cultures, eras and sounds. It's not surprising she's often been referred to as a mix of Tina Turner, Lola Flores and Sarah Vaughn.

After two prior albums including a self-titled in 2005 and Mi Niña Lola in 2006, Buika released Niña de Fuego in 2008, earning her much praise and a Latin Grammy nod in the process. Now she finds herself in the midst of a US tour, and fans stateside will get a chance to see her raw live talent for themselves.

Buika performs at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (25 SE 2nd Ave) on Thursday, July 9 at 8pm. Tickets run $27 to $52.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.