Artist description Chámbo, (Cuban slang for groove), is not JUST another salsa band! Chámbo features some of the finest musicians in the Bay Area. Led by Barbara Valladares, this 12-piece Cuban Salsa/Timba Band infuses high energy and a "FuNkY" groove rising from the traditional Cuban "Son", Jazz, Funk, R&B, Reggae, Hip-Hop, and other musical ingredients.

Music Style Cuban Salsa/Timba

Musical Influences Charanga Habanera, Manolin, Issac Delgado, Klimax and Paulo F.G., Azucar Negra, and Bamboleo

Artist History Cuban American vocalist and songwriter, Barbara Valladares is the bandleader of Chambo, a 12-piece Cuban salsa/timba band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1985, Barbara has been interpreting the traditional Cuban Son with a funky groove, infusing ingredients of jazz, funk & r&b, reggae, and hip-hop with her own vibrant vocal style. Ms. Valladares is currently in the studio recording and producing her debut CD, working with top musical arrangers, including one of Cuba's finest, Juan Manuel Ceruto (of Issac Delgado and Paulo F.G. fame), and Bay Area treasures, John Calloway and Wayne Wallace, as well as being backed by a dazzling group of Bay Area musicians. Born in San Francisco, California, Barbara was raised as a typical Cuban girl in the Mission District with her family, and Spanish was the only language spoken at home. She grew up listening to Orquesta Aragon, Daniel Santos, Los Van Van, and all the classic Cuban bands from Havana, but she credits her mother for her voice and charisma. Barbara's mother--Delia Martinez--was a professional singer and dancer in Cuba, and had also worked with world renowned musicians, Agustin Lara, Rene Touzet, and others. "You can imagine, my childhood was very musical. As children, we produced and performed shows right in our backyard. To this day, when we see our childhood friends they often recall with us the success and creativity of our productions." One of her signature song is "No Naci en Cuba" (I wasn't born in Cuba), and is featured in the upcoming CD. "That song is one of the most significant and personal songs of my repertoire, and it happens to be one of my audiences favorite tunes...they often come up to me after a show humming and singing the phrase...no naci no naci. "Barbara admits to being inspired in part by Albita's song "Que Culpa Tengo Yo" (It's Not My Fault). The song's first verse "It's not my fault that I was born in Cuba." She identified with the song, because she gets the opposite treatment from Cubans here in the United States who make assumptions about her based solely on the fact that she wasn't born on the island. Albita's song led her to reflect about what life would have been like if she had grown up there, and got in touch with her own pain and anger at being invalidated for not being born there. "I couldn't be more Cuban than I am", she says, "and I retain a certain sadness that a place that is so familiar to me is so far away and yet so close to my heart, and that I can't reach out and touch that soil...I look forward to the day I can go, because my heart has always been there." Barbara made her singing debut in the Bay Area in 1985 with Grupo Sinigual, an all female salsa band. She has performed with many salsa groups dating back to 1985, and has most recently performed with John Santos & The Machete Ensemble and the John Calloway Quartet. She has shared the stage with highly acclaimed musicians, Pete Escovedo, the late Carlos Federico, Roberto Duran, Louie Romero, Cesar's Latin All Stars, Tito Garcia, Tumba Son, Grupo Once, the Franco Brothers and many more. Barbara's recording credits include Sonora USA, Ellas Son, and non-Latin performances on the Skrapyard "Sex is Sex" CD released on the Alternative Tentacles label, as well as voiceovers, jingles, and other productions. Barbara studied voice with renowned vocal coaches Raz Kennedy and Faith Winthrop, and attended workshops and classes at Jazz Camp West, City College of San Francisco, Blue Bear School of Music, and the Community Music Center. Barbara was recently on the teaching staff of the Sierra Swing Camp teaching Latin Vocals and directing the Gospel Choir, she is also a recipient of the "Trofeo Ganador" in the 19th Anuual "Festival de la Cancion Latino Americano," awarded in San Francisco in 1999. JUST IN!!!!!! Grammy Nomination 2003.....Barbara is among the many invited guest artists including legendary, the "late" Jose Fajardo, Carlos del Puerto, Orestes Vilato, and many more on John Santos and the Machete Ensemble, have just received a grammy nomination. Keep your fingers crossed for them, they are under the Latin Jazz category! (www.johnsantos.com)

Group Members

Instruments Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals, Bass, Drums, Congas, Bongo, Percussion, 2 Trumpets, 2 Saxophones, Trombone on selected tunes.

Albums Coming Soon!

Press Reviews "I always relish the opportunity to work with Babi...she's very charming,energetic, professional, rootsy and modern at the same time" ......John Santos "Valladares is back with fresh, strong, and positive grooves", Chuy Varela - Latin Beat Magazine, 04/2000 issue. "Barbara has a great voice and an excellent dialogue with her audience.", Chata Gutierrez, - KPOO Radio, May 1999. (Chata was inducted into the Latin Hall of Fame April 2001)

Location San Francisco, Ca - USA

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