Saoco Son: Cuban Salsa Band

About

Juan Carlos Blanco Riera, Artistic Director

Juan Carlos was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where he performed with several professional companies for over 15 years before coming to the U.S. As a youth, he started his dance career with the community based cultural arts groups Cumballé and Oba Ilú in his hometown of Guanabacoa. He later on joined one of Cuba's most respected folkloric companies Raices Profundas ("deep roots”), directed by Juan de Dios Ramos Morejon. He spent 9 years with Raices Profundas rising to the level of lead male soloist and touring Latin American and Asia. His desire to deepen and broaden his knowledge of his cultural expression drove him to become involved with several diverse arts groups in Havana. He performed with Teatro de la Havana and with Arte Popular, a popular theatre company. He also spent several years working with the Franco-Haitian company Ban Rra Rrá, directed by Isaias Rojas Ramirez, as percussionist and instructor of Afro-Cuban dance. While in Cuba, he was charged with the responsibility of training both professional Cuban dancers and educating foreign students through the Instituto Superior de Arte and the Escuela Nacional de Arte. He was artistic director of the folkloric ensemble Arawe that toured Peru in 1997. Since coming to the United States, Mr. Blanco has been featured in various Cuban productions in the California area as dancer and guest choreographer for groups such as Olorun, Alafia, and Taifa. He founded his own Afro-Cuban company, Omo Aché, in 1999, which has performed in schools, universities, and multi-cultural venues throughout California. Most recently Omo Aché has performed at the Cuba Caribe Festival in San Francisco; at Towson University in Baltimore; at the Afro-Latino Festival at the Museum of Latin American Art in Los Angeles; and at the Nations International Dance Festival in San Diego. In 2004, he founded Saoco Son, a musical group that plays traditional (Son) & contemporary (Timba), in collaboration with Cuban musician Igancio Arango.

Ignacio Arango, Musical Director for Saoco Son, Guitarist & Bassist

Ignacio was born and raised in Guanabacóa, a neighborhood in Havana, Cuba. From his earliest years he was surrounded by the heady stew of Afro-Cuban poly-rhythms and the improvisational prowess of rumberos and soneros that form an every-day part of his native culture. At the age of twelve his musical talent and serious dedication to studying music enabled him to enroll in the Guillermo Tomás music school in Havana, Cuba where he studied for seven years. While serving in the Cuban army, he played euphonium in the Banda Musical del Estado Mayor. He was bassist for the world famous Tropicana Nightclub Orchestra accompanying renowned artists such as Caridad Cuervo, Elena Burke, Luis Gardey and Oscar de Leo and touring Italy, Mexico and Monaco. While in Cuba, Ignacio also played Latin-jazz in Cause with Saxophonist José Carlos Acosta and jazz, boleros and Bossa nova in Fusion Four with pianist Tony Perez. In 1996, Ignacio moved to San Diego, California, where he has played with an numerous musical groups spanning a wide stylistic repertoire including Latin jazz in Kokopeli, Unido, and La Conciéncia Orchestra de Salsa. In 1997 Ignacio went on the road with Karl Denson and Tiny Universe to play one of his most beloved musical forms, Funk Jazz Fusion, on the electric bass. In 2000 Ignacio joined Carlos Washington and Giant People a Funk Rock Jazz Fusion Band where he played guitar. In 2004, Ignacio co-founded Saoco Son with Juan Carlos Blanco to focus on honoring the traditional and contemporary Cuban music of his homeland. Ignacio continues to be highly respected and sought after by musicians of every genre wherever he plays.

Personnel

Luisa Corredor: vocals
Angelica Cardona: vocals
Eduardo Saguaro: timbal
Emilio Camacho: Percussion
Yuri Mendiola: Trombone
Julio Valdes: Piano
Ignacio Arango: bass guitar
Juan Carlos Blanco: Musical Director, Vocals & Choreographer

Influences

Saoco Son pays homage to the legendary Cuban contemporary & traditional masters who have made made this genre so famous including: Buena Vista Social Club, Omara Portuondo, Sierra Maestra, Perez Prado, Benny Moré, Los Van Van, Charanga Habanara, Celina Gonzales, just to name a few.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 30 - 120 minutes

Audiences will experience the joy, relaxation and passion of Cuba's vibrant music & dance. Cuban music is know around the world for it's style, power and liveliness. Saoco Son promises to transport audiences to this enchanting island for a magical evening.

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

01-04-2012 — Four Points by Sheraton
02-16-2011 — Cuban Night @ Four Points by Sheraton, 7p.m.-1:00 a.m. 8110 Aero Drive, SD 92123
02-16-2011 — Cuban Night @ Four Points by Sheraton, 7p.m.-1:00 a.m. 8110 Aero Drive, SD 92123
02-12-2011 — Cuban Night Celebrates Valenties Day @ the Four Points by Sheraton, 8 p.m-1:00 a.m.
02-09-2011 — Cuban Night @ Four Points by Sheraton, 7p.m.-1:00 a.m. 8110 Aero Drive, SD 92123
02-09-2011 — Cuban Night @ Four Points by Sheraton, 7p.m.-1:00 a.m. 8110 Aero Drive, SD 92123
01-26-2011 — Cuban Salsa Wednesdays @ Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
01-19-2011 — Cuban Salsa Wednesdays @ Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
01-13-2011 — Noche Cubana (Cuban Night) @ Tango del Rey, San Diego
12-31-2010 — New Years Celebration @ Tango del Rey, San Diego
12-29-2010 — Cuban Salsa Wednesdays @ Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
12-22-2010 — Cuban Salsa Wednesdays @ Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
12-15-2010 — Cuban Salsa Wednesdays @ Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
11-06-2010 — Noche Cubana: World Beat Cultural Center, San Diego, CA

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Corporate Event, Cruise, Ethnic Celebration, Festival, Private Party, Quinceañera, Restaurant, Wedding Reception

Browse Other

Salsa Bands in San Diego, California

Search a different location

Whether you hire Saoco Son: Cuban Salsa Band or other Salsa Bands in San Diego for your party, wedding, or event, Gig Salad makes it super-easy to book professional Salsa Bands.

We strongly recommend that all communication be kept on the Gig Salad Booking Platform as you book your Salsa Band. When you do, we’re able to offer numerous benefits that we can’t guarantee if you take communication or deposit payment off the Gig Salad platform. Our booking system is easy to use and handles secure deposit payments from you to the San Diego Salsa Band of your choice.

Additionally, the quote/agreement sent from your Salsa Band to you using the Gig Salad platform, should outline performance fees, extras, arrival and departure times, cancellation policy, insurance information and other details.