One of the most sophisticated sounds to enter the Boulder music scene in 2001, Being Lara Maykovich has quickly captivated a diverse array of music lovers. The ensemble consists of an all-star cast of accomplished musicians who together create an innovative approach to African and Afro-Latino music. The repertoire is drawn from Laraís vast knowledge of the traditional music of Cuba and Africa and transformed into an original hybrid through the unique arrangements of virtuoso Bill Kopper. These rhythmically rooted songs retrofitted with contemporary jazz and pop harmonies yield a vibrant and danceable music. While maintaining the resonance of its traditional origins, Being Lara Maykovich expands with careful intention on the forms from which it was born.
The captivating vocal style of Lara Maykovich delivers her audience into a transcendental realm where sound meets spirit. She inhabits the stage as a medium of sound and motion bringing to life a variegated stream of diverse talents and influences. Lara remembers dancing and singing in the styles of funk, soul, and hip-hop at age 5, knowing this was her life work. She went on to study music, dance, and performance art at Naropa University, receiving a B.A. in a self-created, interdisciplinary track entitled Ritual Performance Art. In 1992 she became fascinated by African and Afro-Caribbean music and immersed herself in the study of these traditions. Soon after she joined Boulderís first Afro-Caribbean music ensemble, Bamboche, as lead singer and dancer. In 1997 Lara spent a year in Africa, living in a village in Ghana where a long tradition of Ga drumming originated. In Africa she studied with members of Akrowa Dance Ensemble of Ghana, Hewale Sounds of Ghana, Ghana National Dance Company, and National Music and Dance Company of Zimbabwe. Upon return, Lara founded a still active West-African music and dance troop called Logo-Legi with John Jenkins and Maputo Mensah. In 1999 Lara traveled to Cuba on a creative journey of music, dance, and ceremony. She has studied in the U.S. and Cuba with members of Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Grupo Afro-Cuba, Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba and Raices Profundas. Lara is the former lead singer of the Motet and appears on both of their recordings. She has performed and recorded with many artists including Maya Dorn, Chris Berry, Boubacar Diabate, and Osei Kwame. Her collaborations with Bill Kopper have brought a unique synthesis of traditional, rhythm-based songs and jazz harmonies to Being Lara Maykovich. Lara brings a dynamic stage show incorporating African and Cuban dance styles with her own dance styles offering a visual as well as musical feast.
Bill has performed and recorded for over thirteen years and has gained musical experience that spans many genres. He lived in Madrid for several years where he toured and recorded with Brazilian jazz group Samanbaia. He appeared on a Spanish TV show Arte y Artistas; and played at Cordoba Guitar Fest, drinking sangria with bullfighters and Hemingway characters. Billís original composition Salsa Malandra; was recorded in Brazil twice, first by Carlinhos Antunes and then by Tutti Bae. Bill wrote and performed theme music for the Ovation Channel (a Time-Warner production,) recorded with Patrick Leonard (producer for Madonna, Brian Adams, Jewel, Aerosmith,) appeared at Aspen Jazz Fest, and released a solo record. He has performed with such jazz musicians as Roy Hargrove, Danilo Perez, Gary Burton, Antonio Hart, and Jordi Rossi and is now in demand as a performer and studio musician. Matthew Spencer, Bass Matthew Spencer has been playing music for fifteen years, starting with guitar and soon after adding the bass and percussion. Matthew has studied with a wide variety of instrumentalists, including guitarists Ted Green, Bob Conti and Dave Murdy, focusing on jazz and African music. He has toured all over the western U.S. with a variety of funk and jazz bands. His focus continues to be more on the ethnic folkloric music of Africa and Cuba.
First taking up the drums at the age of 12, music soon became a way of life for Ricardo. Fresh out of high school, Ricardo headed for the prestigious music school at the University of North Texas where he befriended and formed a fruitful musical relationship with Matthew Spencer, bass player for Being Lara Maykovich. For the last six years, Ricardo has played professionally in several bands throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, as well as performed in traditional West African drum ensemble, Akiwowo, with Greg Beck. One of Ricardoís greatest passions is the world/global style of music which he explored in depth on a two month musical journey to Guinea, West Africa in December of 2000. Upon moving to Boulder in August 2001, Spencer asked him to come play with Being Lara Maykovich. Ricardo has been on the drum throne ever since.
Dave Lyons has been playing music professionally for 25 years. Starting out on guitar, he moved to the bass as a professional and has worked and recorded with dozens of projects in both Austin, Texas and here in Colorado. In 1990, Dave discovered Afro-Cuban music and put his bass away in order to immerse himself completely. Through many performances with Bamboche (an ensemble which Dave founded to explore Afro-Atlantic music) and through study with many great teachers from Africa, Cuba, Brazil and the U.S., Dave gained a heartfelt love for this music. Dave began combining African and pop forms in 1996 with Legba. In 1998, he co-founded Chupacabra to further explore this genre. Being Lara Maykovich is the most exciting of these projects.
As a gifted multi-instrumentalist and experienced band leader, since his arrival on the scene 3 years ago Jonny has quickly become on of the most sought-after session players in Boulder. Jonny constantly maintains a full plate of work, collaborating in several music projects, including his own band Jyemo, Descarga, Running With Sally, Onda, Natural Kingdom, and of course, Being Lara Maykovich. In January of 2001, Jonny traveled to Cuba with a contingent of accomplished local drummers to study in greater depth the rhythms and culture of Cuba. Jonny is a sensitive musician with great respect for the music he plays, bringing true integrity and legitimacy to every genre he explores
Kaia is a Boulder resident who has performed with the popular band The Motet as well as the Guarancheros, Samba Denote, and Jyemo.