Violinist and singer Yilian Cañizares blends classic jazz with her Cuban heritage and otherworldly voice to concoct intoxicating compositions that remain true to her roots.

Why you should listen

Whether it's on a stage or in a recording studio, there are few artists like Yilian Cañizares. She was born in Havana, where she studied violin, and settled in Switzerland to complete her studies. While there, she began to sing after she discovered jazz, which she melded with her classical training and the Cuban music of her youth.

In 2013 and 2015, Cañizares released two albums -- Ochumare and its follow-up, Invocación -- which strengthened her reputation as an innovative artist who transcends musical boundaries. Her latest release, Aguas, produced in collaboration with Cuban legend Omar Sosa, has garnered worldwide acclaim. For TED, Cañizares will premiere her upcoming album Erzulie, named after the Haitian goddess of love and freedom.

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Live from TEDSummit 2019

Stages of Life: Notes from Session 5 of TEDSummit 2019

July 24, 2019

The penultimate session of TEDSummit 2019 had a bit of everything — new thoughts on aging, loneliness and happiness as well as breakthrough science, music and even a bit of comedy. The event: TEDSummit 2019, Session 5: Stages of Life, hosted by Kelly Stoetzel and Alex Moura When and where: Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 5pm […]

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News

A first glimpse at the TEDSummit 2019 speaker lineup

May 21, 2019

With TEDSummit 2019 just two months away, it’s time to unveil the first group of speakers that will take to the stage in Edinburgh, Scotland, from July 21-25. Three years ago, more than 1,000 members of the TED global community convened in Banff, Canada, for the first-ever TEDSummit. We talked about the fracturing state of […]

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