Son Habana

35th Annual Music Under the Stars | Fridays: Salsa y Más
In January 2019, four talented musicians and good friends from Cuba decided to take on the challenge of reviving the roots of traditional Cuban music—Son Cubano— and fusing it with contemporary Latin sounds to create a distinct and new identity for Cuban music in Los Angeles. Group director, singer-songwriter and lead vocalist, Luis Felipe, who hails from Guantanamo, Cuba, has 23 years of experience performing internationally with different projects and bands and his versatility allows him to sing in many different genres and styles, including Timba, Salsa, Bolero, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata, and more. Joining Felipe will be bassist Yadier Noa Chamble from Camagüey, who brings his unique flavor of tumbao to the mix, fusing Latin jazz, timba, and Son Cubano for a truly authentic sound. On tres (a Cuban chordophone) is guitar master and vocalist, Denis Medina, who was born in Guantanamo and has enjoyed an extensive 30-year career, performing in various styles and genres. Percussionist Eliezer "Chamo" Suarez, who hails from Caracas, Venezuela, rounds out the group with his own “tumbao” style that is influenced by Afro-Latin rhythms and drums from around the world. Son Habana first performed in New Mexico at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in the fall of 2025 as part of the In Rhythm Fest – a community event featuring classes in Cuban Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Kizomba, Cha Cha Cha, Cumbia, Latin Hip Hop, Samba, and more.