Charanga’s roots are firmly Cuban with its development for over a century in Cuba. In contrast to Cuban dance bands with various Brass and Saxophone configurations, Charanga is composed of strings with a flute lead, and of course its driving Rhythm section of Congas, Timbales, Bongos, and Guiro that both musical styles and other Clave based bands have in common. The prototype of Charanga bands is the mighty Orquesta Aragon, which was instrumental in popularizing the Cha-Cha-Cha in the 1950’s. The Sixties brought in the Pachanga craze and the New York City style of Johnny Pacheco y su Charanga.
What is the premise of Urban Charanga Project? It is the musical interpretation of my musical heritage. It is a very Urban and eclectic in nature sound. Born and bred on the border of New York City’s Harlem and Washington Heights, I was influenced by R&B groups like The Spinners, O’Jays, The Stylistics, etc., and the music of my Parents who are of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, and Willie Colon, etc. My father‘s record business was a great place to grow up in and listen to all the exciting music that was out there. In addition, my father also introduced me to his big band jazz collection. Most people call it Old School, which is my musical inheritance in a nutshell.
Urban Charanga Project reintroduces the R&B genre by marrying it with Salsa genre, Charanga. This exciting format shows that we all have much in common. We strip away the language barrier and present the cross pollination that continues to influence R&B and Salsa. No need to sample music or use rhythm machines, Urban Charanga Project is the real deal making old and young alike appreciate and dance to a common musical tradition. Urban Charanga Project tries not to stay in the past, but rather to affirm it by interpreting today’s Latin Dance styles like Hip -Hop, Rap, Raggaeton, Salsa, and Bachata. We do this by bringing together a multi-ethnic and cultural group of musicians that are fluid interpreters of music ranging from Classical concert Halls, Broadway Pit Orchestras, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rap, to hard core Salsa and Merengue.
My musical vision that charanga can be a vehicle for interpreting Classic Philly R&B hits in a manner that is fresh, exciting, and danceable. Why can’t a charanga band play Bachata, Raggaeton, and R&B? This Demo proves we can! In addition, be able to play typical charanga songs.
