Las Guaracheras Concert at Hill Center (Tuesday, April 15 @ 7pm) Featured in the Washington City Paper

Global Sounds on the Hill featuring Latin Music Sextet Las Guaracheras happening Tuesday, April 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm was featured in the Washington City Paper this week.

Formed in 2017 and hailing from Cali, Colombia, Las Guaracheras credit Cuban legend Celia Cruz, “the primary Guarachera,” as the main inspiration for their name. Guarachera is a Spanish term for singers who can vocalize fast, improvisation lyrics. The all-women, six-member band play lush Latin dance music that balances jazzy vibraphone and keyboard sonics with raw danceable rhythms and call-and-response vocals from the lead singer and the rest of the combo that reflect the band’s moniker. Some members of the group compose original songs, but Las Guaracheras also cover “La sopa en botella,” a composition by Cruz, and “Soul Sauce,” by 1950s and 1960s-era vibraphone star Cal Tjader, which was a variation on a Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo tune. Las Guaracheras are not just listening to historic acts. They tell City Paper via email that they are also inspired by contemporary acts like Sheila E., Cuban multi-instrumentalist Alain Perez, and Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez. In their 2023 song “Se Formo,” their music reflects their inspirations and their Spanish lyrics translate to: “Cali, I love you so much/ Let’s let it all out/ See, this is it/ This is pure heart/ The party’s on.” During the early evening hours of April 15, look for Las Guaracheras to bring that passionate, festive feel to a D.C. audience. Las Guaracheras perform at 7 p.m. on April 15 at Hill Center DC, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org. $20. —Steve Kiviat

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