Los Van Van Orchestra

European Union

Los Van Van Orchestra. The Flavor in Zurich

1960-1969

Vital to the success and peculiar sound of Van Van, was the career of its director Juan Formell. Before founding it on December 4, 1969, ventures as bassist in several groups, from the Orchestra of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, to several groups are and jazz, these multiple experiences conditioned their future.

Its passage by the Orquesta Reve marked a turning point in the search for the style I wanted to achieve. He tested his innovative spirit giving it some sound and format solutions.

It incorporates bass, organeta, electric guitar, violins and flute replaced the five by the system. The vocal work was replaced by mounting quartets own voices. This experiment served as a starting point for, once created the VAN VAN, their contagious rhythm patterns sit in popular dance music.

1970-1979

Earlier this decade important critics and connoisseurs of the subject could notice the successful future of the Van Van. Juan Formell maintaining the contributions made to the previous group (The Revé), enriched the set with other instruments such as percussion, that an exceptional and unique way, were weaving what would define as the SONGO.

This mode of address are elements taken from jazz and rock, it consists of a rhythmic design combined with a figurative percussion piano and bass. Then creating harmonic and melodic different timbres.

José Luis Quintana (Changuito), Raul Cardenas (the Yulo), Cesar Pedroso (Pupi), Fernando Leyva, Jesus Linares, Orlando Canto, José Luis Cortés (The rough), Julio Noronha, Gerardo Miró, William Sanchez, Jose Luis Martinez Miguel angel Rasalps (Lele), together with its director, explored all possible ways and then came to this rhythm that becomes the basis of its sound.

It is for these years that begin recording their first five albums and debuted on several international stages.

1980-1989

This represents an important period for the orchestra. They break their own style incorporating the bronco and cracking of the trombones sound. Turn introduced synthesizers, keyboards with multiple sound possibilities. The use of synthesized saxophone and electric violins draw much attention at the time. In addition to his recording material have new triumphs as: Báilalo eh! Ah! (1982), Come, see and move (1984), Havana itself (1985), Eso que anda (1986), We the Caribbean (1987), wanting (1988) is over, and finally Songo gives way to a new stage.

A hallmark of the group is the use of the picaresque, irony, manners in their songs. Becoming a sort of chronicle of the Cuban reality, his writings offer a social circumstance, themes that recreate the jocular of everyday life.

In these years his music transcends borders and Latin American venues like the Empire in London, England, Austria, Switzerland and Germany are witnessing a pace capable of passing the most skeptical of the dancers.

1990-1999

90 start with a tour around the country celebrating its 20 years, evolving into the contemporary timbre and go in search of more complex and preciosistas as the father expressions.

Their latest results leave no doubt that reach maturity. Pieces like “Give him cadela” and “That’s my problem” Disco Sugar (1993), “I am normal, natural” and “What a surprise” the latest in vivo (1994), “Let anger” and “De equals “Ay ampárame god (1995) and” This puts you bad head “and” Take her to your vacilón “Te puts the bad head (1997) are some of the records that predate came VAN VAN ( 1999) containing “Van Van arrived Permit”, “the black is cooking” and “Temba tomb timba”, works that have ravaged mercilessly in the context of salsa, for their contagious rhythm, joy and good taste. All retain the seal of the group even when using other orchestral resources.

2000

Thanks a work of more than thirty years with the Grammy award with Disco Van Van is here or Llego Van Van. Award for best salsa album recorded by soloists, duos and vocal and Instrumentalist groups. (It’s worth noting that the award received is not the Anglophone Grammy Latino) Such award is the result of its continued making magic for over thirty years.