Los Duendes is Vancouver’s very own Psych Latin Fusion group! Infectious tropical rhythms intertwined with spicy Latin melodies designed to make people feel uplifted and groove.
The term “Psych Cumbia” has found its place in Latin America as a way of referring to various different styles of tropical Latin American music. Los Duendes performs topicalized Andean guitar, Jazz, Cumbia, Salsa and Soulful House giving birth to a whole new danceable musical universe.
Tener Duende loosely means having soul, a heightened state of emotion, expression and authenticity. The artistic and especially musical term was derived from the duende, an elf or goblin-like magical creature in Spanish mythology. El duende is the spirit of evocation. It comes from inside as a physical/emotional response to art. ‘The duende is not in the throat; the duende climbs up inside you, from the soles of the feet.’ It is what gives you chills, makes you smile or cry as a bodily reaction to an artistic performance that is particularly expressive.
“This talented group has its finger on the pulse of today’s Latin music reconstruction, breathing new life into timeless rhythms like chicha and cumbia. Their on-trend sound mirrors the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Canadian culture.” - Cal Koat
"Los Duendes brought me back to my travels in South America in the late 70's, particularly Peru. From the moment they played their first note
they had the whole room up and dancing right up until their very last song...
it was a joyous experience with a dash of the diabolical!" - Laurie Vanwycke
LOS DUENDES IS:
Alan Ruiz - Alan Ruiz is a Colombian musician whose style has been influenced by different genres such as Jazz, Classical, Latin and Rock. Alan started his musical journey at age 10 when he found an abandoned guitar at his grandparents house. In 2012, he decided to start a career in music abroad and moved to Vancouver B.C. where he studied classical guitar with Michael Strutt and Jazz and contemporary guitar at VCC School of music.
Seb Chamney - Seb Chamney is a jazz and contemporary guitarist based in Vancouver, B.C. who specializes in approaching traditional repertoire and vocabulary using unique rhythmic and harmonic techniques. Seb is a well-rounded player with a primary focus on jazz. Seb prides himself on approaching every musical scenario with supportiveness, focus, and creativity.
Sangito Bigelow - Born in Montreal but now based out of Vancouver, Sangito is a visual artist, percussionist, vocalist, guitarist and bandleader. Art and Music have always played a central role in his life. Los Duendes provides him a platform to play the music that he has studied from a young age, inspired also by elements of the musical discoveries he made along his travels in South America.
Chris Cuoto - Widely recognized as the biggest sweet heart on the Vancouver music scene. Chris specializes in hand percussion, drums and timbales. If you listen closely you can also hear his soft breathy vocal harmonies in the mix with Los Duendes. Chris is a Vancouver native with Portuguese, East Indian and Mozambican heritage.
Lily Towers - Lily Elena Towers is a born and raised Vancouver based singer, percussionist and photographer. Her mixed Mexican American and Mexican ancestry as well as her British, Scottish and Irish roots have both inspired and influenced her natural affinity for Latin music and dance.
Jeanse Le Doujet - Bassist and Accupuncturist from Brittany, France. A super chill dude… we’re lucky to have him here as part of the Los Duendes family. The beneficiary of a musical upbringing, with his music teacher father, Jeanse acquired his musical gifts practically by osmosis. Since 2012 he has established himself in Vancouver as one of the premier bassists for hire in town.
