We’re thrilled to welcome duo Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz to Motivo on Friday, October 16 for a very special concert.
the Ensemble
TBA
Tickets:
Doors: 7:45pm
Show: 8:30 - 10:00pm
One set. Open seating.
General admission: $30.00 pre-sale | $35.00 at the door
Student Price: $15.00
Limited parking on site on first come, first serve basis. Additional parking spaces available on Casitas Ave and Minneapolis St. Lots of street parking, safe and walkable neighborhood!
About Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz
Catina DeLuna and Otmaro Ruiz are two world-renowned forces in the contemporary jazz and world music scenes. Born in Brazil and raised in a musical household of overnight saraus, DeLuna is an accomplished vocalist and pianist holding a Master of Musical Arts. She spent her early career co-founding two award-winning musical groups in Brazil before moving to the United States. Venezuelan-born Ruiz is a virtuosic pianist, composer, and educator with an Honorary Doctorate, who relocated to Los Angeles in 1989. He quickly became a premier keyboardist, performing globally with legends like John McLaughlin and serving as musical director for Dianne Reeves on her 2001 GRAMMY-winning album.
Both artists are celebrated for pushing boundaries, combining deep cultural roots with extensive academic backgrounds. DeLuna masterfully fuses jazz with traditional Brazilian music, delivering evocative performances shaped by her warm timbre, emotive phrasing, and native connection to the language. Ruiz possesses a rare ability to command both the acoustic piano and electronic synthesizers, navigating seamlessly between straight-ahead jazz, salsa, and electric fusion. He has released several solo albums, scored film soundtracks, and taught at top institutions like the University of Southern California, while both continue to lead masterclasses worldwide.
Their artistic synergy reached a peak with the co-led album Catina DeLuna & Lado B: Brazilian Project featuring Otmaro Ruiz. Arranged and produced by Ruiz, the project offered a sophisticated reimagining of Brazilian music that earned a 2016 GRAMMY nomination. Ruiz followed this success with a double Latin GRAMMY nomination in 2019 for his electric fusion album Elemental. Based in Los Angeles, this powerful musical partnership continues to deliver world-class performances, bridging traditional South American rhythms and contemporary jazz on global stages.