Conjunto Guantánamo

Conjunto Guantánamo - Sizzling Ambassadors of Cuban Folklore℠ - have arrived with a freshly interpreted, classic Afro-Cuban sound. Lively percussion, pounding syncopated bass lines, brazenly exotic trumpet melodies, uninhibited improvisation and the sultry, sexy, dynamic lead vocal of Pepito Gomez positively scorch in a variety of vintage and original compositions. Conjunto Guantánamo unite the precision and cadence of traditional Afro-Cuban music with the raw energy and edge of New York City’s unique nightlife. Conjunto Guantánamo brings you the origins and essence of what music lovers today mostly know as Salsa.

Having released their well-received debut EP ‘…Oye Como Suenan’ in 2011 and a fun Christmas themed Double-Single ‘¡Las Navidades! con el Conjunto Guantánamo in 2015, CG have just released the first single off their highly anticipated upcoming album (Out Now/Nganga Records). The single titled ‘Cuchillo para la Piña Cubana’ draws the listener in with one new fresh rhythmic passage after another, before exploding into a full-on, high-energy Cuban dance number with all the strength and driving beat of a steady locomotive.

Conjunto Guantánamo's soulful sound is layered with authentic Cuban swing and sophisticated influences like "El Barbaro" Benny More, Arsenio Rodriguez, Roberto Faz, and Miguelito Cuní. Playing authentic traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms like Son Montuno, Cha-Cha-Cha, Mambo, and Rumba with contemporary energy, their performances sometimes transition into extended experimental descargas -- a type of Afro-Cuban improvisational jam session -- using musical motifs straight from the streets of Havana and Matanzas, combined with the very spirit of New York City. The band inspires thousands of New Yorkers and international fans alike to swivel their hips in the name of Latin passion.

Since Conjunto Guantánamo was founded in 2003, they’ve been highly visible on the NYC nightlife scene, performing concerts at festivals, dance parties, events and venues as diverse as:

North Carolina Folk Festival Richmond Folk Festival Lowell Folk Festival Lincoln Center’s Boro-Linc: La Casita Louis Armstrong House Museum’s What a Wonderful World 50th Anniversary Festival Flushing Town Hall The Museum of Modern Art The Gantries summer series Performance at Langston Hughes Auditorium The Schomberg Center, First Fridays - Afro Cuban edition Having released their debut EP “…Oye Como Suenan’ in 2011, Conjunto Guantánamo have had several recent releases from their forthcoming album. the singles ’Cuchillo para la Piña Cubana’ and ‘Mamaita no Quiere’ were both released earlier in 2019 and the third single ‘El Son Convidando’ is scheduled for release on November 29, 2019.

The band have also recently enjoyed the support of NPR, WPKN, WFMU, and WVST in the U.S and Celtica Radio in the U.K. and was recently ranked Number 6 on ReverbNation’s Latin Music category for their previous single ‘Y Yo Ganga’.

Founder Ulises Beato (director, conga, vocals) along with José Pepito Gomez (vocals, guitar, tres), Carlos Mena (bass, vocals), Ittetsu Nasuda (piano), Oscar Oñoz (trumpet), and Hector Torres (bongo, vocals) are the celebrated musicians who create this unique sound. You can find Conjunto Guantánamo at select venues around New York City and the Tri-State area just about every week, just check their show calendar on their Official Home Page.