Charanga Habanera

Date of foundation: 1988 with the direction of José Picayo
Place of foundation: Monte Carlo
 

Current bandleader, music director, promoter and lead vocalist of 16-piece band Charanga Habanera, David Calzado has played an essential role in the evolution of modern Cuban music. Charanga Habanera are often referred to as the pioneers of the style timbaton, a combination of timba and reggeaton. 

The ensemble has many virtues: the mastery of musicians, the rich polyrhythm of percussion instruments, and easy, attractive lyrics, with choruses reflecting daily life in Cuba.

Charanga Habanera was founded by a group of talented young musicians graduated at “Escuela Nacional de Arte” and other music conservatories under the direction of José Picayo, originally consisting of:

•    Violinist Gerardo Aguillón 
•    David Calzado
•    Flutist Jorge Emilio Maza
•    singer Juan Carlos González

Charanga Habanera started making traditional Cuban music, like cha-cha, mambo, bolero and guaracha. Their aim was to renew and develop the 40-50’s Cuban music.

David Calzado had to reorganize the ensemble in 1997 because of the personnel changes. This change led to a split into 3 separate bands:
•    Charanga Forever,
•    Dany Lozada y su Timba Cubana
•    David Calzado's new Charanga Habanera

Charanga Habanera was rewarded with the title of “Most popular Band in Cuba” in 1998, 1999 and 2001. They were also nominated to Grammy Award in 2003 with the album: “Live in the U.S.A”.

Discography:

1992    Fiebre de amor
1994    Hey, you, Loca
1996    Pa’ que se entere La Habana
1996    Love Forever
1997    Grandes Exitos
1997    Tremendo Delirio
2000    El charanguero mayor
2001    Chan...Chan…Charanga
2002    Live in the U.S.A.
2003    Soy Cubano, Soy Popular
2003    Marina !Quiere Bailar!
2004    Charanga Light
2005    El Ciclón de La Habana
2009    El Rey De Los Charangueros
 

by Zsuzsa Melkvi
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About the Author: Zsuzsa Melkvi is a salsa dancer and teacher, having competed in Latin-American and Standard dances from 1995-1998. She is also the founder of Baila Cuba (www.bailacuba.hu), a Dance company focused on giving exclusively pure Afro-Cuban workshops in Hungary. Zsuzsa holds a BA degree in Economics from the University of Hertfordshire.