CHARANGA DEL NORTE: BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

“Charanga del Norte” (Charanga from the North) was set up in 1998 by the bandleader Sue Miller who studied Cuban flute improvisation with the legendary Richard Egües from Orquesta Aragón. The band consists of flute, violins, viola, cello, bass, piano, singers, timbales, congas and güiro. They have toured the UK and performed at many venues including the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and at festivals as diverse as Harrogate, Sidmouth, Cheltenham and Trowbridge. In 2008 they released their 10^th anniversary album ‘Our Mam in Havana’ which has recently been given a four star review in the September issue of Rock ‘n Reel’ magazine (you can see this review on the press and publicity page).

The idea for Charanga del Norte evolved from the bandleader Sue Miller’s research and study in Havana with veteran Cuban musicians from Orquesta Aragón and the Buena Vista music scene. Charanga del Norte is the UK’s only Charanga band and  they play ‘Latin music, but not as you may know it – this band are deliciously different and incredibly danceable’ (The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen)  – plus ‘you’ll dance to this with two left feet and a bag on your head!’ (Brampton Live festival)

A gallery of Charanga del Norte photos can be found on the flickr site:  photo gallery link

An article on the history of Charanga del Norte is on the Salsa Power website:

Salsa Power article on the history of Charanga del Norte