TOOMAI STRING QUINTET
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
The Toomai String Quintet brings its five-piece string formation to Barbès for a program of Cuban music. Violinists Alex Fortes and Karla Donehew-Pérez join violist Kayla Williams, cellist Hamilton Berry, and bassist Andrew Roitstein. The set includes works by Leo Brouwer, Tania León, Machito, and others, placing composers associated with Cuban concert music alongside material rooted in the island’s popular traditions.
Formed at Juilliard in 2007, this New York ensemble consists of two violins, viola, cello, and double bass. Toomai makes its own arrangements and commissions new work, with a particular focus on expanding Latin American repertoire for string ensemble. Its music has drawn from Brazilian choro and samba as well as Cuban traditions, and its 2018 debut album, Cuerdas Cubanas, followed more than 20 arrangements or commissions by Latin American composers. The group has collaborated with Carnegie Hall, the 92nd Street Y, Midori and Friends, and Juilliard, while also performing in schools, hospitals, and care settings. Reviewing the album-release show, New York Music Daily called the performance “irrepressibly dancing,” noting a “jaunty” danzón and the “balmy nocturnal ambience” of Manuel Ponce’s “Plenilunio.”
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.