Charanga Tropical

Sultry Salsa with Strings

Charanga Tropical performs a special concert repertoire with guest Cuban conga superstar Yolanda ‘Yuya’ Rodriguez. Take a musical journey with Charanga Tropical through its repertoire of romantic boleros, Cuban classics, modern timba.

Neiry Lorenzo vocals

Frank Rivery vocals

Damian Rodriguez vocals

Doug Little flute

Aja Majkrzak violin

Emily Judge-Becker violin

Kirsti Petraborg violin

Mariano Flores timbales

Andrew Gillespie congas/percussion

Craig Russo congas/percussion

Joe Strachan piano

Graydon Peterson bass

Founded in 2006 by flutist and bandleader Doug Little, Charanga Tropical brings together Cuban and American musicians whose collective accomplishments include international tours, multiple CDs, major grant awards, Latin Grammy nominations, and more. Charanga Tropical has appeared at major festivals and venues throughout the Midwest. In 2019 the band backed up Grammy-winning Cuban singer Mayito Rivera. In 2015 Charanga Tropical became the only American group ever to perform at Havana’s International Danzón Festival. While on tour they played on national Cuban radio and at venues in and around Havana. Charanga also recorded in the same historic Havana studio that produced Buena Vista Social Club. The resulting CD ‘In Cuba’ captures the magic of that legendary studio space and landmark tour.

“On a hot summer day no one else can make downtown Minneapolis feel so much like South Beach, Miami.” –Star Tribune

CharangaTropical.com