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Get to know the “ La Malamaña ” Orchestra

On this occasion we have the opportunity to meet the “La Malamaña” Orchestra

La Malamaña, a salsa orchestra that was born in 2008 as a band that paid tributes to the greats of salsa such as: Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, stars of La Fania and the Cuban music and timba. They have a neighborhood band spirit, heirs to the sound of the New York neighborhood orchestras of the 70s and 80s, fused with elements of the timba sound and concepts of street music.

La Malamaña Orchestra playing
La Malamaña Orchestra Live

The name of the band was baptized by the former member – founder of the band, “Mauricio Ochoa” who founded and is leader of the orchestra “La Sonora Libre de Barcelona”. The name alludes to the Rubén Blades theme “they are looking for you” and that in addition to that also reflects our way of interpreting, writing and arranging the master genre: Salsa.

The Orchestras are based in Quito-Ecuador, with members from different latitudes, they build a proposal of Quito sauce, also called “high altitude Salsa”, for the 2800 meters above sea level where the city of Quito is located.

His main concerts were:

·   Emerald Carnival ·   Foro Mundial de la Bicicleta MINGAMOS
·   Music Festival in Quito and Cuenca ·   Festival – Engine of Change (Ambato 2019)
·   Festival in Defense of the Yasuní National Park ·   LATIN GROOVE EC (Independent Salsa Festival 2019)
·   Libertarian Days ·   CUMANDA Parque Urbano (Agenda Cultural – 2019)
·   Festival Cota 70, FIL Q (sharing stage with La 33) ·  Quito Fest-Fiestas (sharing stage with Rubén Blades)
·   Canoe Fest ·   Festival del Chocó Andino, Pacto 2019

 

Photo of the keyboardist of the La Malamaña Orchestra
Member of the La Malamaña Orchestra

But internationally, among the most important are:

  • 2012: Presentations in Beijing and Tianjin, in the People’s Republic of China.
  • 2015: First Tour in Europe (Genoa, Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Lyon, Paris and Tours).
  • 2018: Second Tour in Europe:
    • Festival des musiques métisses in the city of Colmar
    • FIMU de Belfort Festival “3 presentations”
    • Festival La Javelle-Guinguette “1 presentation”

 

During their time in the world of music they created several albums with a very characteristic sound of them. His first album was called “manual of urbanity and good customs” released in December 2011, which was followed by his single “El Kikuyo” in 2014, a song that was included in the international independent salsa compilation “Salsa de Hoy ”; In 2017 they released their song “Ya Llegó”. As of 2018 they released their latest album released which they baptized “SALSA DE ALTURA”; the members of the orchestra named it that way since Quito is 2800 meters above sea level. This new album has 6 songs by the band, among which are live versions and new material.

Photo of La Malamaña Orchestra
La Malamaña Orchestra at Club Lavoe

Did you know that there is a wide variety of topics that your audience likes, for example, the population of Cali, Colombia likes “What counts the braids” and “How to say” a lot; and in their homeland (Ecuador) they he quite liked his songs: “El kikuyo” and “Para armar”.

The members of the orchestra:

·       Grecia Albán – Voices

·       Edgar Granda – Voices

·       Javier Toro – Piano

·       Jamshid Gordón – Electric bass

·       Fidel Minda – Drums and timpani

·       Diego Minda – Conga Drums

·       Sebastián Segovia – Saxo Tenor

·       Carlos Quilumba – Saxo Alto

·       Yony Muñoz – Trombone

·       Francisco Rangél – Trombone

 

All the members like the strength that “salsa” has, as a music of resistance in the sense of maintaining African and mountain roots in Latin America. They have a lot of new songs and not so new ones that haven’t been recorded yet, we’re in a moment of creation. Soon they will record their new material for the enjoyment of our public.

Soon they will have an event in the month of January 2020 in the city of Quito, Ecuador for the anniversary of a hotel located in the Historic Center

They mentioned to us that their goal is: “We are interested in expanding the musical panorama of Quito salsa towards an alternative platform and generating more audiences at a local, national and international level”

They also sent a message to all their fans and new talents “To our fans we want to say that thank you for enjoying our music and our “sui generis” proposal of salsa and to the new talents simply that they believe in what they say and sing… .this is not about doing something to stick….but rather about being consistent with what is thought and with what we want to contribute in this world that so much lacks good art”

La Malamaña Orchestra photo
La Malamaña Orchestra finishing its presentation at the Club

For more information:

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lamala.mana/
  • Phone: +593 99 801 9775
  • Email: [email protected] / Edgar Granda/ Manager: [email protected] /     Press contact: Diego Minda, [email protected]

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Karina Bernales
Karina Bernales
Engineer at International Salsa Magazine LLC
[email protected]

P.O. Box 50631
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+1 408 287-9500
Karina Bernales
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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.