Artist description Latin music of all genres is dominating world charts right now. The soul, fire, and passion of this musical entity have bodies of all races moving all over the world. Grupo YaYa appears on the scene with years of history, culture and experience to forge a brave new sound utilizing salsa, Afro-Cuban, African, New Orleans, and Caribbean rhythms, with doses of jazz for good measure. Grupo YaYa stands solid on its own well-traveled feet. When each individual of this unit is thrown together the melting pot or gumbo, if you will, that results creates a sound that will lead you on a journey heretofore yet taken. A breath of dense, spice laden air ... a cornucopia of tastes.

Music Style Latin meets R&B

Similar Artists N.G. La Banda, Santana, DLG,Los Van Van,Ruben Blades

Group Members MANOLO YANES, Grupo YaYa's founder, leader, composer, bass player and producer was born in Habana, Cuba, but raised in Miami where he steeped in all the musical styles under the hot Florida sun. He has performed and recorded with the likes of Robert Palmer, Patti LaBelle, John Waite, the Power Station, Arturo Sandoval, Armando Peraza and others. Manolo is committed to pushing the outer edges of the envelope, yet remaining true to his heritage, his culture. ORLANDO NUNEZ, the group's singer, was born in Habana, Cuba where he enrolled in the Habana Musical Conservatory at a young age, studying the violin and cello. He moved to Spain at age 11, seeking political asylum there before moving to the U.S. He began singing in Spain while ensconced in a monastery thereby strengthening his musical resolve. Signing to Geffen Records with the band Oxo was the beginning of his life in Miami. Since then he has worked with Vanessa Williams, Expose', and his voice has graced many television and radio jingles. Recommended to Manolo by Mike Wanchic from John Mellencamp's team, Orlando was the final piece of the Grupo YaYa puzzle. Born in Wichita, Kansas, the son of a preacher man, LARRY CHENEY, the group's guitarist and one of its main songwriters, has taken up the challenge of the Cuban tre's and the Puerto Rican quatro, putting his own unique spin on the way those instruments are generally interpreted. A member of the Edwin McCain band, Larry has also performed with Peter Wolf, Steve Winwood, Felix Cavaliere, Ian Anderson, Tracy Nelson, Jimmy Webb and Steve Earle. His motto- Fire, taste, and tone.QUENTIN L. WARE ... plays the trumpet. Born in Birmingham, Alabama and graduating from Belmont University with a Bachelor's degree in music, Q soon took to the road doing time with Cab Calloway, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Arturo Sandoval among others. His arrangements bring a blast of cool to the Grupo YaYa tapestry.Keeping the pulse, KENNY SUAREZ, a second generation Cuban, was born in Tampa, Florida. At the crossroads and crosscurrents of styles and worlds he began playing professionally at age 10, eventually graduating from the Musicians Institute. He immediately went on the road with Al Dimeola. He has since worked with Gumby Ortiz, Blues Image and others. Kenny brings a full palette to the Grupo YaYa canvas.Last, but not least, GABRIEL SEQUIERA, percussionist extraordinaire, is a fourth generation musician born in Habana, Cuba. His great grandfather, Antonio-Maria Romeu, was one of the principal architects of danzon. All of his family was, and is, involved in music and music education in Cuba. Gabby has performed with the likes of Celia Cruz, Cachao, Jose Fajardo, Oscar de Leon, El Gran Combo and many, many others. His musical integrity brings strength to a new percolating sound. A feast of sound, a vessel of delight - Manolo and Dony also enlisted the talents of Vassar Clements (world renowned violinist), Mickey Raphael (harmonica player with Willie Nelson), and Jose Rossy (Weather Report, Robert Palmer, Talking Heads, Patti LaBelle percussionist) to bring the YaYa gumbo to a full boil. Dance with Grupo YaYa. Experience Grupo YaYa. You will want seconds, and thirds, and ... you get the picture...

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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