As early as in the 1960s Juan Formell started to perform with various orchestras, among others with Elio Revé where he was a musical leader until 1969. Then he broke out, 16 years old, together with some other musicians and started the group Los Van Van. Formell wanted to open up to new elements in the music and he was inspired by jazz and rock to incorporate new instruments such as electric guitar and trombone in the band, forming the original sound of “songo”. During the 40 years that the band have played together they have produced numerous records that span from the more original style songo to the timba that we hear in the latest recordings.

Curio: In Cuba they were convinced that they during the year 1970 would have the capacity to produce 10 million tonnes of sugar. The entire country was mobilized to reach the goal and the expression “los diez millones, de que van, van”, freely translated “of the ten million we do what we can”, was used as a slogan. From that expression the name of the greatest salsa band through all times was born, namely “Los Van Van”.

You can read more about Los Van Van for example at www.timba.com and at their official website www.vanvandeformell.com.

During the evening we will play a selection of the songs of Los Van Van, with everything from songo from the end of the 1960s to timba from their latest album “Arrasando” that was released in the beginning of 2009.