Chi 6 19 09 Release

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   For Immediate Release                 Contact: Kirsti (651) 398-4447         info@charangatropical.com
                                         www.charangatropical.com

                  Charanga Tropical comes to Chicago!
        Salsa with Strings, this Minneapolis Latin band features
     unique instrumentation with diverse array of virtuoso musicians
                    “A Musical Delight and A Visual Spectacle.” –The A-List, City Pages
                                       “A Pick To Click!” –Star Tribune

Friday, June 19th • 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Chicago SummerDance • Grant Park, 601 South Michigan Ave • Chicago, Illinois • Free!
SummerDance Hotline 312-742-4007 web site http://egov.cityofchicago.org/summerdance
         With a unique and classic sound, Charanga Tropical inspires visions of mojitos and Old Havana at
sunset. This nine-piece ensemble has violins, flute, and a sizzling Latin rhythm section. "Charanga" refers to
the intriguing instrumentation, first developed in Cuba in the early part of the twentieth century and made
famous by groups such as Arcaño y sus Maravillas and Orquesta Aragón. Featuring a three-piece string section
(2 vioilns & viola) and a flutist playing solos in the stratospheric forth octave, Charanga Tropical is one of the
few charanga groups performing in the United States. It is the only ensemble of its kind in the Midwest..
         This is incredible music- rich in harmony and melody, fantastic for listening and great for dancing.
While the band performs the rarely heard classic repertoire of romantic danzones and 1950’s era cha cha chas,
Charanga Tropical also excels at playing modern salsa arrangements in the timba style, the hippest new sound
coming out of Cuba.
         Founded in 2006, Charanga Tropical members boast serious music credentials. Collective
accomplishments include world tours, multiple CDs, and international artist residencies. Cuban pianist/vocalist
Viviana Pintado received 3 Latin Grammy nominations as a member of the group of salsa queen, Albita. While
living in Miami, Viviana was also named “Best Pianist” and “Best Vocalist” by the Miami Herald. Flautist
Douglas Little was already a major jazz saxophonist with tours thoughout Europe and the United States before
falling under the spell of Cuban music. . Little conducted music research in Havana, Cuba for five months
studying with some of Cuba's greatest living musicians including J.J. Oliveros (Chucho Valdéz, Orquestra
Jorin), Jorge Leliebre (Los Van Van), and Andrés Alén (Arturo Sandovál). The accomplishments of the stellar
string section of Charanga Tropical includes three masters degrees, two doctorates in music, and performances
with large orchestra, chamber groups, and jazz ensembles.
     Members of Charanga Tropical are: Viviana Pintado (piano/vocals), Damian Rodríguez (percussion/vocals),
Douglas Little (flute/vocals), Eliezer Freitas-Santos (congas/vocals), Mariano Flores (timbales), Pat Smith
(bass), Kerri Fabyanske (violin), Latannia Ellerbe (violin), and Kirsti Petraborg (viola).
             For more information including videos, sound clips, photos, and text, please visit
                                     www.charangatropical.com
                   or contact Kirsti at (651) 398-4447 or info@charangatropical.com
                              Charanga Tropical Upcoming Shows
                   complete show information at www.charangatropical.com/schedule.cfm

Friday, June 19th • 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Chicago SummerDance • Grant Park, 601 South Michigan Ave • Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, June 25th • Noon to 1 pm
Northrup Plaza • 84 Church Street SE, Univeristy of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Thursday, June 25th • 9 pm to 12:30 am
Minnesota Music Cafe • 499 Payne Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota

Thursday, July 9th • 9 pm to 12:30 am
Minnesota Music Cafe • 499 Payne Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota

Thursday, July 23rd • 6 to 8 pm
Latin Music Festival • Normandale Bandshell, Bloomington, Minnesota

Thursday, July 30th 6 to 8 pm
Mill City Music Live • Mill City Museum Courtyard Ruins, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thursday, July 30th • 9 pm to 12:30 am
Minnesota Music Cafe • 499 Payne Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota

Friday, July 31st 9:45 to 11:45 pm
Minnesota Orchestra’s Sommerfest • Peavy Plaza at 11th & Nicollet, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thursday, August 6th • 6 to 8:30 pm
Thursdays On First • First Avenue Stage, Rochester, Minnesota
Thursday, August 13th 6 to 8 pm
Live On The Drive • 3400 North Memorial Parkway, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thursday, August 13th • 9 pm to 12:30 am
Minnesota Music Cafe • 499 Payne Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota

Thursday, August 27th • 9 pm to 12:30 am
Minnesota Music Cafe • 499 Payne Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota


                              MS Word Document of this Press Release Available at
                                 http://www.charangatropical.com/presskit.cfm