Conjunto Guantanamo

When you book our band, you can expect to have, above all, a great time with no surprises. We have over 19 years of expertise as a nationally touring band and can provide your event with the right amount of energy whether you're having a wedding or small intimate cocktail, reception, house concert, or a big corporate bash with a dance floor, stage, and hundreds of guests. Conjunto Guantanamo's authentic traditional Cuban music is always appropriate and appeals to a wide audience.

Private parties and events are some of our specialties and our clients are always very happy with the band from beginning to end. We'll breathe life into your celebration and make your event one to remember whatever the occasion!

On the practical side, our clients will appreciate the band's professional attitude and management. We strive to provide our clients with easy communication and flexibility while adding maximum value to your event. Our ensemble shows up on time with its equipment complete and in ship-shape and with our members looking their clean-cut best. Not only does our band sound great but, our guys are true professionals - on time, fun to be around and, NO HASSLES!

Conjunto Guantnamo - 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 Guantnamo unite the precision and cadence of traditional Afro-Cuban music with the raw energy and edge of New York City’s unique nightlife. Salsa lovers rejoice! Conjunto Guantnamo brings you the origins and essence of what music lovers today mostly know as Salsa.

Conjunto Guantnamo's soulful sound is layered with authentic Cuban swing and sophisticated influences like "el barbaro" Benny More, Arsenio Rodriguez, Roberto Faz, and Miguelito Cun. 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, as well as some modern day Timba combined with the very spirit of New York City.

Since Conjunto Guantnamo was founded in 2003, they’ve become highly visible on the NYC nightlife scene, performing at festivals, dance parties, and events and venues as diverse as The Museum of Modern Art and the grand opening of the IKEA store in RedHook (an all weekend affair!). The band inspires thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to swivel their hips in the name of Latin passion. Sting, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, Mickey Rourke, Leonardo DiCaprio, and other stars have made surprise audience appearances at places like the West Village's celebrated Socialista, where Conjunto Guantnamo have previously played a weekly residency.

Founder Ulises Beato and Pepito Gomez, Angel Diaz, Carlos Mena, Oscar Onoz and Hector Torres are the unique and celebrated musicians who create this unique sound. You can find Conjunto Guantnamo at select venues around New York City and the Tri-State Area every week. Just follow the smoking beat and the baile apasionado - or please check our calendar on our Web site.

A select list of recent engagements includes the following venues and events:

• 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

Here is a select list of our clients:

• Creative Edge Parties
• Fifth Avenue Committee
• The Ad Council
• Ikea Brooklyn
• People Magazine
• Dr. Daniel C. Baker, M.D.