Latin Jazz Beyond Borders

In 2000, Los Mas Valientes musical director Jessica Valiente formed a second project with personnel mostly from Los Mas Valientes.  She was writing about Cuban charanga -- the flute-led Cuban dance band that gave birth to the mambo, the chachacha, the pachanga, and is the grandmother of salsa.  She formed her own charanga to bring the music she was writing about to life.  Her colleagues from Los Mas Valientes brought knowledge, experience, and passion to this new band that she called "Charanga Anaïsa." 

25 years after its creation, Anaïsa is now a multi-generational sensation; the band now includes both seasoned veterans and the up-and-coming Latin stars of tomorrow.  The director's 3 grown children, exceptional professional musicians in their own right - complete the charanga sound with a swinging and elegant string section, and Gen Z percussionists and vocalists bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to the band's stage shows.

Anaïsa performs the classics of the charanga repertoire; from the mambo, chachacha, and pachanga eras, while also creating exciting new originals for charanga enthusiasts and salsa dancing fans.  Since 2000, they have performed a litany of parties, dance clubs, and music festivals, driven almost entirely by word of mouth! 

Until now Anaïsa has been a sleeper hit with minimal internet presence, but lately they have been stepping out into the limelight.  Check their Bandcamp page for single tracks or their full 2005 Latin jazz release from their live performance on WKCR in New York City.  Or download early-release tracks from their upcoming full length charanga album, Los Tres Golpes.  One listen will have you up on your feet, pachangeando all over the house!