Quimbombó is a groove oriented band with a musical base in the Cuban són (the contagious dance music championed by Buena Vista Social Club that is the main ingredient in salsa); they always maintain strong elements of improvisation and spontaneity in their sound. Quimbombó (pronounced keem-bohm-BO) is the title of a classic Cuban són from the 1950's; it means “okra” or “gumbo” in Spanish. The group’s lively and unique sound has excited audiences at many venues including Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, SOB’s, the Brooklyn Museum, La Belle Époque, and Gonzalez y Gonzalez. They have recorded two CDs, Quimbombó, released in 2004, and Conga Electrica, released in July 2008. The members are:

Nick Herman (director, composer, arranger, percussion) has been involved with Cuban music for over 15 years. He began performing as a rock drummer in the 1980s at venues like CBGBs and Pyramid. In the 1990s he began to immerse himself in Cuban and Brazilian music, studying with masters such as Changuito, AfroCuba de Matanzas, Bobby Sanabria, Jorge Alabê, and Roberto Vizcaino. In addition to Quimbombó, he has worked with artists such as Trey Anastasio, Gary Morgan & Panamericana, Nanni Assis, and Dendê.

David Oquendo (lead and background vocals, guitar, percussion), a native of Havana, is a highly accomplished and respected interpreter of many diverse styles of Cuban music. In Cuba, he rose to fame performing with the late Compay Segundo, one of the vocalists featured in Buena Vista Social Club. Since moving to the United States, he founded the Latin Grammy-nominated folkloric group Raices Habaneras and has worked with many top artists including Paquito D’Rivera, Cachao, Willie Chirino, and Marc Anthony.

Igor Arias Baro (lead and background vocals, percussion) was born in Havana. The son of musicians, he began performing at the age of eight. Known for his energetic style of improvising, he has worked with artists such as Juan Carlos Formell, Raices Habaneras, Paquito D’Rivera, Los Caribeños and Ibboru.

Steve Gluzband (trumpet), a veteran of the New York Jazz and Latin scenes, is in great demand for his mastery of the tipico trumpet style. He has recorded and performed with artists such as Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, The Talking Heads, Tito Puente, Machito, Marc Anthony, Nelson Gonzalez, The Chicago Symphony, and the Jet Set Six.

Alex Fernandez Fox (tres, vocals, percussion) was born in New York City to Cuban parents, and began his musical training at age four. He has directed the band Kfekonleche and performed and recorded with artists such as SonSublime, YeraSon, and Frank Bambara.

Ricky Salas (congas, background vocals) a native of Panama, has performed with many major figures in Salsa and Latin jazz, including Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Bosch, Juan Carlos Formell, Albita, Danilo Perez, and Gilberto Santarosa.

Arun Luthra (tenor and soprano saxophones, flute, clarinet) is a performer, composer, and arranger and teaches at the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. He has shared the stage and recorded with many prominent jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and pop artists including Bobby Sanabria, Bobby Porcelli, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Bobby Short, and Ray Vega.

Jorge Bringas (bass, vocals), a native of Havana, began his professional career at the age of 16, playing with Buena Vista Social Club star Omara Portuondo. After relocating to Miami in 1997, he begun working with many of the top Latin artists in the U.S., including Albita, Celia Cruz, Manolin, and Juan Carlos Formell.

Conga Eléctrica (Testa Dura Records 002), Released 2008;
Editor's Pick:
Nick Herman's Quimbombó returns with a superb and unusual son record peppered with touches of folklore, traditionalism and modernist flair. With highly respected vocalist and guitarist David Oquendo and a guest crew of drummers called Bloco Quimbombó. Highly Recommended. Descarga.com


Radio Airplay for Quimbombó: Conga Eléctrica:

New York, NY: WKCR-FM; WBAI-FM; WHCR-FM
Poughkeepsie, NY: WVKR-FM
Tampa Bay, FL: WMMF-FM
San Mateo, California: KCSM-FM
Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties, California: KCLU-FM
Los Angeles, California: KXLU-FM