Orquesta Guama

xplosive, dynamic, and energetic are only a few ways to describe a young Charanga Band from Los Angeles California. Orquesta Guamá is a Cuban Charanga orchestra based in the Los Angeles area, playing the classic styles of Salsa, Danzón, Chá-Chá, Merengues and Cumbias.

Founded in 2003, Orquesta Guama is continuously making big waves on the Los Angeles music scene. Orquesta Guama is a unique, multi-cultural ensemble, represented by musicians of: Mexican, Cuban, Korean, Russian, Colombian,Puerto Rican, Peruvian and Anglo decent.

Orquesta Guamá was founded by Ruben Rivas (El Caballero) and Alfredo Ortiz (Nino) in 2003 with some of the most talented young musicians.

Since 2003 Guama has performed in L.A/s top venues, including the Queen Mary Festival, El Floridita, The Granada, San Diego street festival. Orquesta Guamá has opened for Cuba’s most famous artist, “Roberto Torres. Guamá has also performed in many festivals, including the Watts Towers Jazz Festival, L.A. Cuban Festival, African Marketplace, & the L.A. Salsa Festival

Ruben Rivas from Mexican-American descent lived in Cuba to study flute with the legendary Richard Egues, of Orquesta Aragon (Fame).

Founder and Director Ruben Rivas states, “Music is a way of uniting our cultural backgrounds. As a result of living in such a diverse city, we have become a melting pot of cultures from all over the world. Falling in love with the sounds of charanga is what inspired me to share and introduce charanga music with other musicians of diverse backgrounds like myself. It has been a rewarding experience for me to know that I have brought so many cultures together to honor of Charanga music.”

In September 2003, Orquesta Guama began performing and continue to perform every week for audiences of all ages at the famous ” El Floridit’a Restaurante in Hollywood.

Director Ruben Rivas is currently Director of Bands at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower California www.bosco.org.

Tagged as: Cha, charanga, cuba, danzon, flute, Jazz, latin, mambo