Los Van Van

by Evan C. GutierrezLos Van Van are one of the most important and influential bands in the history of 20th century Cuban pop music. Though the 1990s were pervaded by groups that mixed folkloric and traditional music with the musical trends of the day, and the beginning of the 21st century saw that process go even further, in the 1960s and 70s that Latino fusion sensibility was scarce at best. There were primarily two Cuban groups experimenting with mixing pop, funk, rock, and soul with their native traditions. One of those two was Irakere, and the other, far more long-lasting band was Los Van Van.Following the revolution, Cuban youth were profiled for talents and predispositions. Children showing potential in athletics were streamlined into sports. Academics, visual arts, and music followed suit. The young musicians who formed Los Van Van had enjoyed conservatory educations from their earliest years, and were experts in theory and performance by their early twenties. The bands key players — Juan Formell (bandleader, bass player, and songwriter), César Pupy Pedroso (piano, songwriter), and José Luis Changuito Quintana (drumset/timbales) were fascinated with the soul, go-go, and disco music that dominated U.S. radio waves. They named their dance band Los Van Van after the go-go fad, meaning literally they go-go!The style that the band pioneered took its name from the cross of son and go-go music that the band had created. The style songo can now be found throughout the Latin jazz, pop, and fusion world. Los Van Vans debut disc bore the name, solidifying its place in musical history forever. Shortly after the bands formation, they became the islands favorite dance band, a title they held for years. With the support of the Cuban government, Los Van Van toured and recorded and toured tirelessly throughout the 80s and 90s. They became the best-known Cuban group in the world, maintaining a loyal fan base throughout Europe. Though there was some U.S. interest in the band and their innovations, the politics of the days hedged their ability to break into the U.S. market. While Irakere defected to States, Los Van Van never left Cuba. U.S. interest grew throughout the 90s, peaking with Los Van Vans Grammy Award in 1999 for their 15th original album, Llegó Van Van. Many founding members have gone on to become successful bandleaders in their own right. César Pupy Pedroso formed his own group, Los Que Son, Son, at the turn of the century. Lúis Changuito Quintana left the band in 1993 to pursue a Latin jazz career. Many lesser-known members went on to become some of the most influential players in the timba revolution that came in the early 90s. Los Van Van are widely recognized as a genre-creating band. Alongside artists like the Beatles, Aretha Franklin, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Los Van Van are distinguished as a band that changed the course of popular music for an entire generation.