AZUCAR
Azucar is made of some of Pittsburgh’s top freelance musicians with a beautifully talented knockout singer Indira Corales fronting the band. Indira grew up in Chile and has the music in her bones. Having played hundreds of concerts and dances over the past 5 years Azucar always can be counted on to deliver every time.
Azucar released their first self-titled album in 2006 which consisted of 9 originals and one cover tune. Azucar was also featured on the WQED 2005 Christmas Show “Live from Studio A” as well as several print articles. Azucar is a full service Latin dance band playing the following styles: Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata, Latin Jazz, Rhumba, Bolero, and others.
Members of the band have played with such legendary musicians as Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, the Temptations, and have opened for national acts such as Cuban Trumpet great Arturo Sandoval!
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GAVAS BEAT
Gavas Beat is a fusion of Latin rhythms and cultures, composed by musicians with various musical backgrounds from different countries in Latin America including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela. Gavas’ style blends latin pop, salsa, merengue, cumbia, vallenato and reggae, introducing its unique style to classic songs and current hits trending in radio stations across the continent. The band originated as a gathering of friends in the streets of Pittsburgh in 2010, and has progressively grown into a full size crossover orchestra. Today, the essence is preserved and Gavas continues to maintain their irreverent style and young fusion of sabor and tumbao.
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GUARACHA
Guaracha is one of Pittsburgh’s all-time greatest Salsa bands. They perform Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Bachata, Bolero, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Rhumba, Plena, Bomba, Aguinaldo, and even Latin Jazz and Samba, as well as originals in several of these styles. Guaracha has recently appeared at venues such as The Altar Bar, The Shadow Lounge, First Night, Latin American Caribbean Festival, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Guaracha performed two years in a row for the Institute for Shipboard Education on their Seminar at Sea tours through Latin America! Guaracha Latin Dance Band ignites the stage with HOT, authentic, Latin music for you to dance to! Often they even conduct Salsa Workshops at the show.
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NOEL QUINTANA & THE LATIN CREW
Noël Quintana & The Latin Crew are one of Cleveland and Pittsburgh’s leading salsa and Latin Jazz bands. The band was founded in 1999 by Quintana, Percussionist, band leader, researcher, educator and artistic director. He was born in New York City and grew up surrounded by Afro-Caribbean music. Quintana took private lessons early in his life from renowned percussionist and recording artist, Luis “Timbalito” Romero (Willie Colon &Hector La Voe Orchestra) Quintana has performed with many Latin music giants such as Tito Puente, Richie Ray, Ismael Miranda, Marvin Santiago, Tommy Olivencia, Simón Perez, Hector Tricoche, Viti Ruuz, Paquito Guzmán, Paquito Acosta, Luisito Carrion, Tony Vega, Pedro Jesus, Andy Montañez, Lefty Pérez, Miguelito Cuni Jr. , Tito Rojas, N”Klave, Charlie Cruz, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Sanabria, Johnny Almendra y Los Jóvenes del Barrio, Luís Romero y Mazacote, among others. He has taught for Northewast Ohio Jazz Society’s Banda Hispana Cultural and the Juilia de Burgos Community Center for 16 years, as well teaching private lessons in Latin percussion and offers programs for schools and cultural centers.
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