Latin Bands

Candela

Formed in 1987, Candela explores a variety of Latin rhythms, including the son, bolero, merengue, mambo, and cha-cha, with an improvisational jazz tinge. A native of Montivideo, Uruguay, band leader, Edgardo Cambón began his musical training at the early age of nine, and by his teenage years he started playing the congas. He left Uruguay in 1975, and played with numerous Latin bands in Argentina, Sweden, and Holland for several years until he moved to San Francisco in the late 80s when he formed the band. He recorded Candela's first album in 1990 on the Orfeo label in Uruguay entitled "Ilusiones." Since then the band has performed at many festivals, including the Benny Moré Festival in Havana, Cuba, Cinco de Mayo Latin Festival in Guam, Festival at the Lake, San Jose Jazz Festival, San Francisco Carnival, San Francisco Jazz Festival summer series, and at numerous Bay Area clubs, including Yoshi's and Kimball's East. Cambón has also shared the stage with the late salsa star Hector Lavoe, and Carlos Santana.

Bautista

Fusing Latin feels and Funk grooves with rock and driving guitar, Bautista features creative percussive, rhythm driven soulful songs with melodic lyrics. Norman Bautista's creative rhythms and arrangements combined with a band of bold and powerful players, attracts them to audiences of all ages and cultures. If you love to dance, Bautista will get your feet moving!

Jesus Diaz Y Su QBA

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Mazacote

Mazacote performs Salsa and Latin Jazz with soul and fire. Since 1995, this group has consistently played to packed houses and kept dance floors full with their high energy sound. Mazacote is lead by the renowned percussionist Louis Romero, who after playing and recording with many of the Latin greats in New York, moved to the Bay Area over 10 years ago. In addition to their own fabulous Salsa and Latin Jazz originals, Mazacote draws much material from classic songs by "El Gran Combo" and Eddie Palmieri.

Orquesta D'soul

With Garza's blazing trumpet in the foreground, Orquesta d'Soul delivers a satisfying dose of Latin rhythms, leavened with a dash of new and old school R&B. - San Jose Mercury News

Orquesta La Moderna

While Orquesta La Moderna Tradición performs a variety of classic and folkloric styles, the group's main foucus and "raison d'etre" is the danzón, an intrguing blend of European ballroom music and Afro-Cuban percussion that developed in the final quarter of the last century in Cuba. Danzón has served a one of the main influences on modern styles such as cha cha chá, son , and even contemporary slasa. It is often argued that Argentina's tango developed from the danzón and both styles share musical and cultural elements. Indeed, fans of tango will find much to appreciate in the elegant routines of danzón.

Pepe Y Su Orquesta

Salsa music is the vanguard of superior music talents, surges a Salsa orchestra in San Francisco, California called PEPE Y SU ORQUESTA. This orchestra vibrates with its typical tropical rhythm and words, which are heartfelt for its musical quality and elegant presentation. Due to their dynamic and artistic talents, PEPE Y SU ORQUESTA, have been able to share the stages with world famous artists such as: Frankie Ruiz, Pochi y su Coco Band, Orquesta Guayacan, Giro, Oscar d'Leon, Eddie Santiago, Willie Rivera, Antonio Cartagena, Hector Rey, Carlitos Rey, Rey Sepulveda, Jesus Enrique, Rey Ruiz, Mimi Ibarra, Luis Enrique, Willlie Rosario, Raulin, Carlos Nuño, Jerry Rivera and of course El Grupo Niche.

Tito Garcia 7 Su Orquesta Internacional

Ernesto "Tito" Garcia has been playing music professionally since 1971. During these last 20 or so years, he has experienced the incredible and thoroughly inspiring evolution of the West Coast Salsa scene in the Bay Area. Tito Garcia Y Su Orquesta Internacional has taken full advantage of the multi-cultural or "international" array of musicians in this area and thus the name of "internacional". Tito Garcia Y Su Orquesta International plays Salsa in the traditional format of the pioneers of this music and adds their own West Coast flair.

Quimbombo

Quimbombó is a word for okra, food of the Afro-Cuban god of the drum, Chango. In the 1950's Quimbombó became more than just nourishment for the body as Chappottin popularized it in his classic Cuban son. Today, the tasty union of Cuban rhythm and song can be experienced again in Quimbombó, one of the Bay Area's newest salsa bands. Blending interpretations of the classic Cuban repertoire with fresh originals, Quimbombó is the voice of youth in San Francisco's salsa scene. Under the leadership of percussionist Patricio Angulo and trombonist Eli Sada, the band ignites enthusiasm in dancers and musical connoisseurs alike.

Viva Brasil

Leading the Brazilian music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years, Viva Brasil's reputation for catchy melodies, vibrant rythms, and fiery solos has lead to a strong following both in the U. S. and abroad. The band began with Claudio Amaral putting together a mixed combination of musicians from Brasil and the United States including his long time band members from Brasil, Rubens Moura and Helio Garcia, co-writer partner Jay Wagner and buddies Eddie Soleta and Kent Middleton, together they recorded their first album, playing local clubs creating an incredibly happy, feel good atmosphere every time they played. Contributing to the growing attention are the band's recordings including collaboration with jazz vocalists Mark Murphy and japanese pop singer Yasuko Agawa which the original composition Skindo-le-le reached to #7 on the Japanese jazz charts. When you watch and listen to Viva Brasil, it's easy to understand the buzz connected with this talented group of musicians.