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Encyclopedia > Los Van Van

Los Van Van is a Cuban band led by Juan Formell, a bassist who in 1967 became musical director of Elio Reve's charanga orchestra. Formell reformatted the group into Changui '68, and then founded his own group, Los Van Van.


Using a charanga line-up as its base, Van Van was the first Cuban group to use synthesizers, trombones, drum machines and vocal trios. Their sound was a fusion of changui and son montuno with various types of music, including Afro-Cuban rhythms, rock, funk, disco, and hip hop. Juan Formell contributed countless innovations to the Cuban bass and clave, which paved the way for a radical reconceptualisation of rhythmic arrangements in Cuban music. The Van Van sound came to be known as songo (based on the songo rhythm), which laid the base for the later development of timba.


Los Van Van have consistently managed to adapt their style to the times, and remain, after 35 years, Cuba's most popular dance band. Along with pianist Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso, Juan Formell has written some of the most intirguing verses in popular dance music, including stories that run over several albums and, contrary to trends in timba, all types of social commentary. Both artists are undisputed masters of double-entendre in a musical culture where multiple meanings in lyrics are pervasive.


Today Los Van Van is considered to be one of Cuba's major timba acts, while Juan Formell has arguably become the most important figure in contemporary Cuban music. The band has two grammy awards to their credit.


Past members include Pedro Calvo, Mayito Rivera, Pupy Pedroso and Formell's son, Samuel Formell.


  Results from FactBites:
 
LOS VAN VAN (1095 words)
In the case of Los Van Van, the rhythm section consists of steady and conservative congas and guiro, and Samuel playing both drumset and timbales with monstrous virtuosity.
After several months of rehearsal, Los Van Van is now back on the tour with two new singers, Abel "Lele" Rosales, the son of one of the founding members of the group, and the first female member in their history, Yeni Valdés, who had previously sung with NG La Banda for several years.
The new pianist of Los Van Van is Roberto "Cucurucho" Carlos.
Los Van Van - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (304 words)
Los Van Van is a Cuban band led by Juan Formell, a bassist who in 1967 became musical director of Elio Reve's charanga orchestra.
Using a charanga line-up as its base, Van Van added trombones and vocals, and was the first Cuban group to use synthesizers and drum machines.
The Van Van sound came to be known as songo (based on the songo rhythm), which laid the base for the later development of timba.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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