Live!

Salsa meets strings! Charanga Tropical is an nine-piece ensemble featuring three violins, flute, and a sizzling Latin rhythm section. 'Charanga' refers to this intriguing instrumentation, first developed in Cuba in the early part of the twentith century and made famous by groups such as Arcao y sus Maravillas and Orquesta Aragn. Now performing regularly, Charanga Tropical is one of the few groups of it's kind that can be heard in the United States!. This is incredible music- rich in harmony and melody, fantastic for listening and great for dancing . Charanga Tropical features 3-time Latin Grammy nominee Viviana Pintado on piano and vocals. The group performs original arrangments as well as music works brought back from Havana by flautist and musical director Douglas Little. Little conducted music research in Cuba for five months in 2002 and 2005 studying with some of Cuba's greatest living musicians including J.J. Oliveros (Chucho Valdz, Orquestra Jorin) and Jorge Leliebre (Los Van Van). In addition to Pintado and Little, the other Charanga Tropical members are Eliezer Freitas-Santos (congas/vocals), Damian Rodrguez (perc/vocals), Mariano Flores (timbales), Mark Haynes (bass), and 'Las Cuerdas de Fuego' ('Strings of fire!')- violinists Kerri Fabyanske, Janey Christoffersen, and Christian Zomora. With a unique and classic sound, the sounds Charanga Tropical inspires visions of mojitos and Old Havana at sunset. The tables are cleared, the dance floor is ready. Gozemos!