The Cuban orchestra's sound mixes traditional and modern Cuban rhythms with rock, jazz and funk.
Get out your dancing shoes. Cuba's Los Van Van is coming to Lawrence.
Though the internationally known dance orchestra has toured extensively throughout Latin America and Europe, this is only its third trip to the United States.
Los Van Van is practically synonymous with Latin music, from songo to salsa to the current timba craze. Since its inception, the group has recorded more than 25 albums and earned the status of "Cuban Rolling Stones."
Van Van's sound, a mixture of traditional and modern Cuban rhythms, incorporates a variety of musical styles, including rock, jazz and funk.
"We've been influenced by every sound in Latin America and the world," said pianist Cesar Pedreso, who formed the group with Latin legend Juan Formell in 1969. "Even in the '60s, we were influenced by rock."
Van Van's orchestra is composed of 14 members: three vocalists, three percussionists, three trombonists, two violinists, two keyboardists and a bassist. With this configuration, the group is able to blend the sweet violins and flutes of upper-class charanga music with the driving congas and horns of working-class rumba music. The result is called songo, a genre of Latin music Van Van has made famous.
"The bass and the piano is the fundamental rhythm in the band," Pedreso said.
At live performances, the band is known to play marathon concerts, often lasting three hours or more.
Although the group has been a staple of the international music scene for decades, it released its first U.S. recording in 1994.
"The Cubans are regaining their musical terrain," Pedreso said. "There's a craze in Cuban music, and it's deserving."
Van Van couldn't be touring the United States at a better time. The recent interest in all things Latin makes for packed concerts of fans eager to get their groove on.
Pedreso reflected on the meaning behind the phenomenon: "This movement is a true achievement, and it's very much ours because the links are all Latin. It's all music and all feeling. It's the passion of the Latin people that is shown in this music."
Although Van Van has been touring for decades, Pedreso, 53, said, "I still love doing it. I love being in touch with the public, the different generations. I still love the feeling I get from the people. It gets a bit tiring, but it's all worth it."
He also talked about the differences between European and U.S. audiences.
"There are a lot of Latinos in the United States. Although we're internationally renown, it's Latin music and it touches the Latin heart and the Latin beat. Right now in Europe dancing is such a boom. They're dancing like it's Cuba. The invasion is worldwide."
-- The Mag's phone message number is 832-7146. Send e-mail to jbiles@ljworld.com.
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