Los Van Van at Somerville Theatre

Los Van Van is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of 20th and 21st century Cuban pop music. Though the 1990s were filled with groups that mixed Cuban folkloric and traditional music with the musical trends of the day, the beginning of the 21st century saw that process go even further. But in the ‘60s and '70s that Latino fusion sensibility was scarce at best. There were primarily only two Cuban groups experimenting with mixing pop, funk, rock and soul with Cuban musical traditions. One of those two was Irakere, and the other, a far more long-lasting band was Los Van Van....

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Los Van Van is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of 20th and 21st century Cuban pop music. Though the 1990s were filled with groups that mixed Cuban folkloric and traditional music with the musical trends of the day, the beginning of the 21st century saw that process go even further. But in the ‘60s and '70s that Latino fusion sensibility was scarce at best. There were primarily only two Cuban groups experimenting with mixing pop, funk, rock and soul with Cuban musical traditions. One of those two was Irakere, and the other, a far more long-lasting band was Los Van Van.

Founded in Cuba in 1970 by Juan Formell (who passed away in 2014) the band is now directed by drummer Samuel Formell. The style that the band pioneered took its name from the cross of son and go-go music that the band had created. The musical style known as "songo" can now be found throughout the Latin jazz, pop and fusion worlds. Los Van Van's self-titled debut disc solidified its place in musical history forever. Shortly after the band's formation, they became Cuba’s favorite dance band, a title they held for decades.

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