Conjunto Guantánamo (Cuba / USA)

Conjunto Guantánamo is a New York-based band dedicated to preserving and revitalizing traditional Afro-Cuban music. Founded in 2003 by Ulises Beato, the group draws from classic Cuban styles like son montuno, cha-cha-cha, mambo, and rumba, blending them with the energy of New York City. The band’s lineup includes Beato on conga and vocals, José

“Pepito” Gomez on lead vocals, guitar and trés, Carlos Mena on bass and vocals, Ittetsu Nasuda on piano, Oscar Oñoz on trumpet, and Hector Torres on bongó and vocals. They have performed at notable venues and festivals, including Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Lowell Folk Festival. Their discography includes the EP Oye Como Suenan (2011), the holiday release ¡Las Navidades con Conjunto Guantánamo! (2015), and Moviendo los Caracoles (2024).

Featured Songs:

Conjunto Guantanamo’s instrumental version of “El Son Convidando” (The Inviting Son) was inspired by a classic 1951 recording by Conjunto Chappotin y Sus Estrellas, one of the legendary groups of Cuba’s golden age of son. Written by Ramón Cisneros, the Latin Dance Party song has an inviting and dynamic groove that captures the essence of classic Afro-Cuban music.

“Rumba Guajira” (Country Rumba) is a classic son composition by Arsenio Rodríguez, the blind Cuban tres player and bandleader whose innovations in the 1940s and 1950s helped shape modern salsa. The Cuban Connections song celebrates the rural roots of Cuban music, evoking the countryside where the son was born. Conjunto Guantanamo singer and tres player José “Pepito” Gomez calls out, “Listen, country girl / The sweet son that inspires me / I am a country man, and I was born / In the middle of the savanna / Up in the mountain range / I learned to sing the son / Today I bring it to you / With its beautiful melody.”

Artist Website

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