Bobby Carcasses is both. The Cuban jazz pioneer was well received at recent performances at the Marlborough 2007 Jazz Festival in England and other UK venues.

Carcasses, known as Cubas leading male scat singer, played his trumpet and sang along with his partner Maria Cecilia Colon, a singer who deserves more visibility, and superb English saxophonist George Haslam.

"I matured into jazz by way of theater music," confesses Carcasses. "And I wanted to share that experience with British professionals and enthusiasts so they could better understand the variety and richness of Cuban music."

The artist, who also draws and paints, opens an exhibition of his work at the Servando Cabrera Moreno gallery in the Havana municipality of Play in mid-August.

Bobby is also preparing another surprise for the end of the year. "Its related to my training phase in the former Havana Musical Theater, under the direction of Alfonso Arau of Mexico. We are in contact to do something together. Well see what comes out of it," said Carcasses.

Source: By Pedro de la Hoz, Granma