Soul Makossa

Get ready to dance and groove to the Afro-Cuban beats of Conjunto Guantánamo's latest single, "Rumba Guajira". This dynamic and energetic new track is sure to get you moving with its passionate and soulful melodies.

 “… Afro-Cuban Ensemble Conjunto Guantánamo [explore] the rhythms of son montuno, cha-cha-cha, mambo and rumba with contemporary energy,” says Jane Levere, Forbes

“It’s been one of my favorite tunes in our repertoire ever since we started playing it live several years back,” says percussionist Ulises Beato who’s the leader of Conjunto Guantanamo. He adds, “I’m so excited that this is our next single. Every time we play it, it feels really great to share this song with our audiences and see the reaction it gets.”

Fusing the rhythms of this ‘Son Montuno,’ with their contemporary energy, Conjunto Guantánamo takes this classic 1950's track originally written by Arsenio Rodriguez and gives it a fresh twist. The harmonies of the backup singers and Pepito Gomez's powerful lead vocals join the bright, sultry tones of the trumpet with the bass and piano intertwining their own grooves around the polyrhythms of the tumbadora and bongo drums. The whole song is given a steady beat, by Pepito's tres guitar and the hypnotic rhythm of the guiro, creating a steam locomotive-like drive that beckons us to dance.

Afro-Cuban ‘Son’, the genre of Conjunto Guantánamo's music, is known for its exotic fusion of African and Cuban rhythms with those of Spain. This genre eventually gave rise to the popular genre of salsa, making "Rumba Guajira" a must-listen for both newcomers and aficionados of the style.

Rumba Guajira

Afro-Cuban ensemble Conjunto Guantánamo is excited to announce the release of their latest single, ‘Tal Vez,’ which is set to be released on May 10, 2023, on Nganga Records. This seductive and sultry love ballad is in the style of a traditional 'guajira-son' and features a series of dynamic chord changes that take listeners on a passionate and unexpected journey through its hypnotic and sexy rhythms.

“… Afro-Cuban Ensemble Conjunto Guantánamo [explore] the rhythms of son montuno, cha-cha-cha, mambo and rumba with contemporary energy,” —Jane Levere, Forbes

The track begins with the steady rhythmic guitar playing of two-time Grammy nominee Pepito Gomez, who combines his strumming with precise, intricate flamenco-like fingerpicking. The song showcases a complex series of chord progressions and exotic melodies arranged by the group's bassist, Carlos Mena. The soulful harmonies of the backup singers and the powerful lead vocals of Pepito Gomez join the deep, sultry tones of the trumpet, while the bass, piano, and organ interweave their own grooves around the steady locomotive-like beat of the 'tumbadora,' bongo drum, and 'güiro.'

Afro-Cuban music is known for its eclectic fusion of West African rhythms with those of Spain, and Conjunto Guantánamo explores these rhythms with the contemporary urban energy of New York City, where the band is based.

Listeners can find ‘Tal Vez’ on all music platforms starting May 10, 2023. Make sure you don't miss out on this sensual and rhythmic track, which is sure to be a hit with music lovers of all kinds.

Tal Vez

New York, NY - Conjunto Guantánamo, the rising stars of Afro-Cuban music, have just released an instrumental version of their hit song "Rumba Guajira." The original song, which features Pepito Gomez’s soulful vocals and the band’s harmonious background singers, has been making waves in the Latin music scene since its release.

The new instrumental version of ‘Rumba Guajira’ is a captivating interpretation that showcases Conjunto Guantánamo's instrumental prowess and unique sound. With a blend of traditional Cuban rhythms and modern energy, the instrumental version of ‘Rumba Guajira’ is an infectious groove that will get listeners dancing in no time.

"I wanted to create something that would showcase the music itself and allow people to feel the rhythm without the distraction of lyrics," says Ulises Beato. "The instrumental version of 'Rumba Guajira' does just that - it's all about the music and the energy it brings."

With this new release, Conjunto Guantánamo is continuing to push the boundaries of Afro-Cuban music and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the genre. The instrumental version of "Rumba Guajira" is now available on all major streaming platforms.

Rumba Guajira (Instrumental Version)

Loma de Belén

Guitarra, Tabaco Y Ron

Mariantonieta Llego

Get ready to dance and groove to the Afro-Cuban beats of Conjunto Guantánamo. This dynamic instrumental track is sure to get you moving with its passionate and soulful melodies.  “I really love to find old numbers like this and rediscover them for our fans,” says director Ulises Beato, “I’m excited that this is our next single. Whenever I hear this track and the sensibilities behind its rhythm and cadence it reminds me of why I became interested in preserving the music of Afro-Cuban Son for our followers.” — linktr.ee/CtoGuantanamo

El Son Convidando (Instrumental Version)

Las Navidades con el Conjunto Guantanamo

¡Merry Christmas from Cuba!

A new instant holiday classic. Pop our new double-single into your playlists this Christmas and make this a swinging holiday season!

The sizzling ambassadors of Cuban folklore, Conjunto Guantanamo have done it again taking these traditional holiday favorites and making them their own in these brand new Afro-Cuban style interpretations. Join Pepito Gomez, Ulises Beato, Carlos Mena, Angelito Diaz, Mauricio Herrera Kali Peña in celebrating this Christmas season Afro-Cuban style with these festive, fun and never before heard new releases.

Get yours now!

Navidad, Navidad (Angel Diaz, Jose Gomez) descarga

Las Navidades con el Conjunto Guantanamo

¡Merry Christmas from Cuba!

Trip the light fantastic with Conjunto Guantánamo’s Afro-Cuban inspired Christmas tunes. Kick off your holidays with some of the best new Christmas songs to come along in years.  A holiday music release that will have everyone dancing, swaying and feeling good. Add these to your playlist and cut loose at the Christmas party!

Kick off your holidays with some of the best new Christmas songs to come along in years. A holiday music release that will have everyone dancing, swinging and feeling good.

'Conjunto Guantánamo' are sure to get any Christmas party going with their signature holiday singles, 'Santa Claus Llego a la Ciudad' and 'Navidad, Navidad' (OUT NOW). The tracks are just right for any get together with family and friends, and perfect for getting your holiday season started off right. This is Christmas music your loving friends and family will remember from your get together. Find the tracks on their double-single '¡Las Navidades con el Conjunto Guantánamo!'

Their version of these holiday classics are lively and spirited, perfect for your Christmas playlist, dance party or any holiday festivities.  Here’s some Christmas music you’ll never grow tired of. When it's time to have fun during the holidays, weather you’re waiting in line to stand under the mistletoe, kicking back with some spiced eggnog or enjoying yourself with the other Christmas revelers, add these tracks to your holiday playlist and cut loose at the Christmas party! Tune in to the thrills of lively percussion, pounding syncopated bass lines, brazenly exotic trumpet melodies, uninhibited improvisation and the sultry, sexy, dynamic lead vocals of lead singer Pepito Gomez along with some great lush backup vocals.

Santa Claus Llego A La Ciudad (F Coots, H. Gillespie) guaracha

‘Cuchillo para la Piña Cubana’ is the first single from the highly anticipated new album ‘Moviendo los Caracoles’ (coming April 12/Nganga Records) by Conjunto Guantánamo. From its first bars, 'Cuchillo para la Piña Cubana' draws the listener in with one new fresh rhythmic passage after another, before exploding into a full-on, high-energy Cuban dance number with all the strength and driving beat of a steady locomotive.  

The band, once again, flexes its musical muscles establishing it as a true tour de force in traditional Afro-Cuban music and one of the most promising Afro-Cuban son ensembles of its generation. Conjunto Guantanamo are truly the ambassadors of Cuban folklore.

Led by its founder, Cuban percussionist Ulises Beato, the sextet features some of the finest players in traditional Afro-Cuban music today. Pepito Gomez’s lead vocals combined with the lush harmonies of the backup vocals and Itettsu Nasuda’s piano and Hammond style organ solo give this track a festive and contemporary feel, while staying true to the genre's nearly century-old style. The song was arranged by bassist Carlos Mena, whose pounding syncopated bass provides brazen backing to the the lively polyrhythms of Mauricio Herrera’s bongo and Ulises’ conga drums. 

The band have recently enjoyed the support of the Louis Armstrong House Museum and was recently ranked  Number 6 on ReverbNation’s Latin Music category. They’ve also been featured on WPKN, WFMU and WVST in the U.S and Celtica Radio in the U.K.

This lead single from their upcoming album gives fans a teaser until the release of the full album in April, 2019. Co-produced by Ulises Beato and Pepito Gomez, Moviendo los Caracoles is a collection of some of the most beautiful and infectious Cuban songs ever written, masterfully refreshed in contemporary arrangements at Brooklyn’s Nganga Records by Conjunto Guantánamo. The album will feature 10 infectious new tracks and never a dull moment. Look for ‘Moviendo los Caracoles’ wherever you get your music starting April 12, 2019.

Cuchillo Para La Piña Cubana

Our new single, 'Mamaita No Quiere' hits the ground running with an explosive energy created by what is essentially our six man rhythm machine. From the first note, the trumpet and percussion beckon itchy feet to the dance floor with an upbeat melody that can lift any spirit. The Spanish lyrics spin the  narrative of a party goer who can’t imagine why "Mamaíta" (Little Mama) won’t dance with him only to have him admit the ground will tremble if she does. 

‘New York City's Conjunto Guantánamo... celebrates Cuban folklore as the spirit breathing life into its sound.’
                                                          – The Lowell Sun
This second single from the upcoming album gives our tribe yet another teaser before the April 2019 full album release. Co-produced by Ulises Beato and Pepito Gomez, 'Moviendo Los Caracoles' is a collection of some of the most beautiful and infectious Cuban songs ever written, masterfully refreshed in Carlos Mena's contemporary arrangements at Brooklyn’s Nganga Records by Conjunto Guantánamo.

Mamaita No Quiere

Conjunto Guantánamo send out the call to dance, both rhythmically and literally, with ‘El Son Convidando’, a song about how inviting the ‘Son-Cubano’ genre truly is. This musical release will find a wide audience with both newcomers and aficionados alike.

‘El Son Convidando’ (OUT Nov. 29, 2019/Nganga Records) is the third single from the album that Conjunto Guantanamo have been teasing with since last year. The upcoming album itself, ‘Moviendo los Caracoles’ started production late last year and has had two acclaimed singles so far which took the listener down the road of ‘Son Cubano’, the genre that has been so ubiquitously influential in contemporary pop music, that today the average listener may not realize the roots at all. 

With ‘El Son Convidando,’ CG is again showing off it’s ‘Sonero’ roots in a track that has that unmistakable authentic Cuban Son feeling that one seldom samples outside the island itself.

 “… Afro-Cuban Ensemble Conjunto Guantánamo [explore] the rhythms of son montuno, cha-cha-cha, mambo and rumba with contemporary energy…”
– Jane Levere, Forbes

Conjunto Guantánamo seem to be the avant-garde of a ‘Son Cubano’ renaissance that was arguably started on the heels of Buena Vista Social Club and it’s alumni. That said, CG have given the music a more modern feel in its energy and mood.

El Son Convidando

Our debut CD. Energetic traditional Cuban dance numbers guaranteed to rock your socks off!

Pop these tracks into your playlists now and let them make you shake your booty.

The sizzling ambassadors of Cuban folklore, Conjunto Guantanamo's debut EP is sure to put them on track to being YOUR favorite Latin band! Join Pepito Gomez, Ulises Beato, Carlos Mena, Angelito Diaz, Mauricio Herrera Oscar Oñoz and friends and swing it Afro-Cuban style with these festive, fun traditional tracks.
Get yours now!


Nganga Records

Sujetate la Lengua (Eloy Oliva) guaracha

Vivir del Tumbao (Joseito Fernandez) son

Y Yo Ganga (Rudy Calzado) son

La Rosa Oriental (Ramon Espigul) son

Conjunto Guantánamo - Ambassadors of Cuban Folklore℠ - have arrived with a freshly interpreted, classic Afro-Cuban sound. Lively percussion, pounding syncopated bass lines, exotic trumpet melodies, uninhibited improvisation and the sultry, dynamic lead vocal of Pepito Gomez positively scorch in a variety of vintage and original compositions. With a soulful sound is layered with authentic Cuban swing and sophisticated influences, their performances sometimes transition into extended experimental Afro-Cuban improvisational jam sessions.
The band inspires thousands of New Yorkers and international fans alike to swivel their hips in the name of Latin passion. Since Conjunto Guantánamo, the ambassadors of Cuban folklore, was founded in 2003, they’ve become highly visible on the NYC nightlife scene, performing at festivals, dance parties, events and venues as diverse as
	▪	Lincoln Center’s Boro-Linc: La Casita
	▪	What a Wonderfull World 50th Anniversary Festival in conjunction with Louis Armstrong House Museum
	▪	The Gantries summer series
	▪	Lowell Folk Festival
	▪	The Museum of Modern Art

Founder Ulises Beato (director, conga, vocals) along with José Pepito Gomez (vocals, guitar, tres), Carlos Mena (bass, Vocals), Ittetsu Nasuda (piano), Oscar Oñoz (trumpet) and Mauricio Herrera (bongo) are the celebrated musicians who create this unique sound. 
  --  https://linktr.ee/ctoguantanamo

Conjunto Guantánamo

Popular tracks