------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 19, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Caribbean Net News - Georgetown,Cayman Islands http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/04/19/rocker.shtml Contributed by Steve Sikes-Nova British Rocker Wakeman Woos Cuba Ahead of Concerts HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): British rocker Rick Wakeman, the former keyboard player for Yes, wooed an audience of reporters and Cuban musicians here Monday ahead of three planned rock concerts later this week. Speaking of his desire to visit Cuba for the past 20 years, Wakeman said rock music signifies liberty of the soul. "Progressive rock signifies liberty. Music touches what you want it to touch," the British rocker said through a translator. "Progressive music, like jazz, gives us the liberty of saying what we want to say," he said. The British rocker's statements appeared to go down well with Carlos Alfonso, director of the group Sintesis, who will support Wakeman's final gig in Jose Marti plaza. "It makes me very happy when he speaks of the liberty of music, because it's the best way to describe this music," Alfonso said. Wakeman often used humor during the press conference. A ringing mobile telephone briefly interrupted the session, before Wakeman quickly quipped: "If it's one of my ex-wives, I'm not here." The rocker will perform two concerts on April 22 and 23 in the Karl Marx theatre which has a capacity of 5,000, he will be accompanied by the Swiss group Cross Fires and the New English Rock Ensemble from Britain. His final concert will occur in Jose Marti Plaza, when he will be supported by Sintesis. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com