Who Are The Cuban Big Band Bringing Live Music Back to SOAS?
'When groups such as Orquesta Estelar fight for representation, they fill the hole left by the University.'
By Mika Samani, BA Japanese 28/10/2024
Live music returned to the Student’s Union (SU) with a storm this month, played in by Orquesta Estelar’s SU performance on the 15th. In the bar after one of their rehearsals, which take place weekly in MB G52, I set out to find out exactly who this big band are, and how they are bringing live music back to students at SOAS.
I spoke to Wren Küchemann-Scales, who plays percussion, and Viktor, a vocalist. They described their music as ‘high energy, complicated and rhythmic’. Their music is comprised of a genre that blends Afro-Cuban beats, jazz, and large ensemble arrangements. Having been playing for more than 20 years, the band boasts a strong community of people of many nationalities, backgrounds, and skill levels. Bill, another band member who is in charge of percussion, explained, ‘We aren't AfroCuban, but Cuban music is indebted to its African roots’.
Our discussion took a more serious turn when band members discussed how conversations about employing African musicians remained futile within the University, regardless of how or with whom they approached these. For example, SOAS houses a set of Ghanaian drums, however, there is no one able to play or teach them. So, where does this leave our resident Cuban big band?
Many of the members expressed an obligation to perform and represent the music of the African diaspora, hopeful of inspiring others. Bill explained, ‘SOAS is marked by the people here, it attracts open-minded people’. When groups such as Orquesta Estelar fight for representation, they fill the hole left by the University. This allows the rest of us to enjoy unfiltered, beautiful music from people who portray genuine care and passion.
Throughout our conversation, the band reminisced about how special live music used to be at SOAS, relaying stories and memories about when live shows used to be at the heart of the university. Viktor describes how ‘there was a big shift after the pandemic, live music events used to be very popular and easy to advertise. It now feels like the opposite.’
In a wonderful turn of events, it now looks like live music will make a comeback, with newly elected Co-President Safia Shaikh collaborating with bands and DJs, including Estelar, to bring performance back to the SU. After all, the same Students’ Union that Nirvana played in 1989 is the SU that Estelar plays today.
Orquesta Estelar’s music brings together a strong community of people who are passionate about music and hope to sustain and protect it. This passion has helped to revitalise live music at SOAS; don't miss out on their next show!
Orquesta Estelar are next playing in the SU Bar on the 10th of December. For more dates see @orquesta_estelar on Instagram.
