THE STONES PLAYED IN CUBA, AND LOS VAN VAN RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO

May 31, 2016 | by Rebeca Mauleón

Los Van Van

From commercial cruise lines and haute couture, to the historic appearance by The Rolling Stones on the island within the last several months, it is clear the political thaw is having a profound affect on how the world is engaging with Cuba. Following a transformative year in US-Cuban relations, the legendary dance band Los Van Van are set to return to San Francisco.

In 1969, Los Van Van burst on the Cuban music scene with the strange and unheard-of combination of electric guitars and organs, violins, flute and rhythm section, with arrangements expertly crafted by bassist, bandleader and songwriter Juan Formell. His ability to encapsulate the daily lives of his fellow Cubans through catchy vernacular and infectious grooves has resulted in a collective repertoire that now echoes down through multiple generations, and despite the founder’s absence (Formell died suddenly in 2014), Los Van Van continues to get the crowd dancing from the first downbeat.

Juan Formell receiving a Latin Grammy Award in 2013

What follows are some insights into the group’s history from a previous blogpost (Los Van Van 2.0 - Cuba's Rolling Stones) that sheds light into the phenomenon that is “el tren musical de Cuba” (Cuba’s musical train). 

Los Van Van's signature sound is an amalgam of traditional Cuban rhythms mixed with a tinge of American-infused pop and rock, but that feeble description in no way defines the relentless, hip-churning, sonic experience delivered by this band. Trombones and violins? Who DOES that? In the first incarnation of the ensemble, Juan Formell dared to introduce that most American (aka "Imperialist") of sounds - the electric guitar. And to top it off, the drum set - typically not included in the Cuban dance music triumvirate of congas, timbales and bongos - was stripped of its cymbals at first so as to not incur the displeasure of government officials; any resemblance to jazz or rock could result in criminal prosecution, and Formell was well aware of the risks involved in assimilating anything remotely American. He called his new sound "songo" - a mix of Cuban son and "go-go" music, and what made it tick was precisely how much it flirted with rock or pop while remaining truly Cuban at heart. Over the years he added synthesizers, drum pads and other digital accessories, but the foundation of Los Van Van has always been the charanga orchestra, an acoustic instrumentation consisting of flute, strings and rhythm section with Cuban percussion.

> Playlist: Cuba—Revolution To Rap

Like many popular rock bands - from the Dead and the Stones to any group with a fan base that spans nearly five decades - Los Van Van, founded in 1969, has seen its share of musical as well as historical transformation since the band first burst on Cuba's music scene. From the Cold War to the recent shift in US policy toward the island, Los Van Van has singlehandedly chronicled the daily lives of the Cuban people, their hopes, their dreams and aspirations, as well as their frustrations. Every song in the group's repertoire is punctuated with real-world situations, primarily penned by the late Formell in an enchanting recipe of groove-laden storytelling with multiple punches. It's not easy to think about getting down on the dance floor to songs about food shortages, transportation problems, blackouts or black market dealings, or more recently, prostitution, homophobia and drug addiction. But somehow, Los Van Van makes it work. They are, after all, El Tren (the train) - an unrelenting wall of sound that has transcended generation in Cuban popular culture. Like a locomotive on steroids, this group has found a loyal following around the globe, regardless of political leanings, and if you climb on board when they take the stage, you will witness firsthand how intoxicating it is to be a "Vanvanero" (or Vanvanera), a diehard fan. The Herbst Theater may be better known for its formal concert setting, but I guarantee it will feel more like a steamy Havana nightclub when Los Van Van return for 2 shows on Friday June 10th, so get your dancing shoes ready!