One of Cuba’s most famous musical exports will play alongside Colombian salsa kings Grupo Niche in Bogota on 2 October.
Los Van Van has been one of Cuba’s most popular groups since 1969, and founder Juan Formell has proven himself a true musical chameleon. In the 1970s Formell fused Cuban rhythms with synthesizers, rock, rap, merengue, funk, disco, and any other musical sound that caught his interest to create a form of music that he called “songo”.
For forty years, the band’s sound has evolved to reflect current tastes, and at 67 years of age, Formell continues to write hits that the dance-obsessed youth of Cuba can shake their tailfeathers to.
As Formell says, “If the public doesn’t dance, we have to look at what went wrong, because what we’re doing isn’t working. This is music for the masses, not at all for an elite audience. It’s to be enjoyed by everybody.
The World Music Press Release said of the band, “under the direction of songwriter, bassist and vocalist Juan Formell, the 14-piece orchestra plays an irresistible brand of dance music which they originated, called songo … Consisting of six independent sections — three vocalists, two violinists, three percussionists, three trombonists, two keyboardists and a bassist — the band is a charanga (flutes and violins), a salsa orchestra (edgy trumpets and trombones), and a premier rock band (electric bass and drums) all in one.”
Grupo Niche is a Cali-based Colombian salsa band founded in 1978, which, like Los Van Van, has maintained its popularity over the years and remains one of Colombia’s best-loved salsa groups.
Los Van Van and Grupo Niche will play at the Downtown Majestic Theatre.
Tickets are available through Tu Boleta.