Conjunto Guantánamo is much more than a salsa band. Emerging in the vibrant scene of New York City, this group has revitalized the sound of son montuno, cha-cha-chá, mambo and rumba, taking the essence of Afro-Cuban music to new levels of energy and freshness.
Founded in 2003 by Ulises Beato, the band has been recognized as the ambassadors of Cuban folklore, fusing the classic with the contemporary in each of their performances.
Its current solid lineup, led by Beato and the charismatic singer José Pepito Gómez, has consolidated Conjunto Guantánamo as an international force in the traditional son genre.
With notable performances at festivals such as the 50th anniversary of “What a Wonderful World” and the prestigious Lincoln Center, the band continues to captivate audiences with their irresistible rhythm and unmatched authenticity.
Conjunto Guantánamo evolved several times, in terms of personnel, until around 2009 when José Pepito Gómez joined the band to fill a slot during a local concert.
Pepito, who had recently arrived in New York from Cuba, was a well-known exponent of the Timba world and was the lead singer in several of Cuba’s most prominent bands at the time, predominantly Pupi Y Los Que Son Son.
It was then that Ulises and Pepito agreed to work together and Pepito became CG’s official lead singer. A little later, after some lineup changes, CG was joined by percussionist Héctor Torres on bongo, bassist Carlos Mena, and trumpeter Óscar Oñoz, all of whom have been with the band since then. In 2016, the ensemble was also accompanied by Ittetsu Nasuda on piano.
Along with Ulises’ vision of having an authentic Afro-Cuban son ensemble in New York, the sextet had matured into what has become a truly international force in the genre of traditional Afro-Cuban son music.