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Los Van Van is
one of the most important and
influential bands in the history
of 20th century Cuban pop music.
Though the 1990’s were pervaded
by groups that mixed folkloric
and traditional music with the
musical trends of the day, and
the beginning of the 21st
century saw that process go even
farther, in the 1960’s and 70’s
that latino fusion sensibility
was scarce at best.
There were primarily two Cuban
groups experimenting with mixing
pop, funk, rock and soul with
their native traditions. One of
those two was Irakere, and the
other, far more long lasting
band, was Los Van Van. Following
the revolution, Cuban youth were
profiled for talents and
predispositions. Children
showing potential in athletics
were streamlined into sports.
Academics, visual arts and music
followed suit. The young
musicians who formed Los Van Van
had enjoyed conservatory
educations from their earliest
years, and were experts in
theory and performance by their
early 20’s. The band’s key
players Juan Formell (band
leader, bass player and
songwriter), César ?Pupy’
Pedroso (piano, songwriter)
&
José Luis “Changuito”
Quintana (drumset /
timbales)
were fascinated with the Soul,
Go Go and Disco music that
dominated U.S. radio waves.
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They named their dance band Los
Van Van after the Go Go fad,
meaning literally “they go, go!”
The style that the band
pioneered took it’s name from
the cross of son and Go Go music
that the band had created. The
style “songo” can now be found
throughout the latin jazz, pop
and fusion world.
Los Van Van’s debut disc
bore the name, solidifying it’s place in musical history
forever. Shortly after the band’s formation they became the
island’s favorite dance band, a title which they held for years.
With the support of the Cuban government, Los Van Van toured and
recorded and toured tirelessly throughout the 80’s and 90’s.
They became the best known Cuban group in the world, maintaining
a loyal fan base throughout Europe. Though there was some U.S.
interest in the band and their innovations, the politics of the
days hedged their ability to break into the U.S. market. While
Irakere defected to States, Los Van Van never left Cuba. U.S.
interest grew throughout the 90’s, peaking with Los Van Van’s
Grammy Award in 1999 for their 15th original album, Llogó Van
Van. Many founding members have gone on to become successful
band leaders in their own right. César “Pupy” Pedroso formed his
own group Los que Son Son at the turn of the century. Lúis
“Changuito” Quintana left the band in ‘93 to pursue a latin jazz
career. Many lesser known members went on to become some of the
most influential players in the timba revolution that came in
the early 90’s. Los Van Van are widely recognized as a
genre-creating band. Alongside artists like The Beatles, Aretha
Franklin and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Los Van Van are
distinguished as a band that changed the course of popular music
for an entire generation.
Los Van Van
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