Irka's music— rooted in the past—reveals our essence and lights the road to our future— Avelino Stanley, Fmr. Vice Minister of Culture, Dominican Republic. Dominican singer-songwriter Irka Mateo is reinventing Dominican Music. Fusing melody and rhythms from the Dominican countryside—itself a fusion of Afro, indigenous, and European influences—Mateo's embrace reaches deep into the traditions of her country, the Caribbean and wider Latin America, especially accordion driven dance melodies. Irka began her career as lead singer and lyricist of the Irka and Tadeu Band, with her then-partner Tadeu DeMarco. The group composed path-breaking music that blended Brazilian, Dominican and Caribbean music. From1985 to 1996 they made Montreal, Quebec, Brazil and the Dominican Republic their home. The work was highly influential to a new generation of musicians. Irka then traveled for ten years in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic documenting over than thirteen genres of folk traditions–previously unknown to the wider Dominican culture and beyond. The Grammy Foundation in turn supported her extensive field research, allowing her to create a folk music archive of her work. As a critical influencer, she seeks to inspire a new generation embracing the Dominican identity. Her previous CD, Anacaona, was played widely throughout the world reaching the Top 10 in charts in Canada and Spain. She is releasing "Vamo a Goza" her second solo album recorded in the United States and the Dominican Republic with her six piece band, Irka Mateo y La Tirindanga and special guests— featuring accordion, guitar, bass, drums and percussion. The album showcases original material inspired by Dominican folk music. These are songs of a dynamic artist able to get the house dancing with her high energy and joyous performances. Irka is fluent in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese Performances Highlights Brazil: Teatro San Pedro and Teatro 7 Abril in Porto Alegre, RS Canada: Montreal Jazz Festival, Ottawa, Baie Comeau and Rimouski Jazz Fest Colombia: Mercado Cultural del Caribe de Cartagena Cuba: Festival del Fuego de Santiago Dominican Republic: Festival Heineken w/Sergio Mendes, Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Festival. Haiti: Port-Au-Prince w/ The Fugees Los Angeles: Artivista Fest at Ford Theatres, accompanied by Quetzal. Mexico: Festival de la Primavera and Teatro Benito Juarez in DF. New York: Joe's Pub, United Palace Theater, United Nations, Subrosa and Bonafide St. Kitts: Caribbean Music Festival