David Oquendo & Raíces Habaneras

David Oquendo created the Cuban Folklore group Raíces Habaneras, to rescue and preserve the pure form and essence of Cuban rhythms and to pass it on to newer generations this aspect if Cuba’s cultural heritage.

Since its creation, the group has performed every Sunday in what is now its home base, “La Esquina Habanera”, a club located in Union City, New Jersey. This uninterrupted, weekly performance has now become a tradition in the community, and it is known as “Domingos de la Rumba” (Rumba Sundays).

Raíces Habaneras’ artistic truth and quality have been witnessed by many on film in HBO’s “OZ” series, the PBS Documentary “The Cuban Americans,” Ivan Acosta’s film, “How to Create a Rumba,” which received accolades at the Lincoln Center Film Festival and the Austin “Las Americas Film Festival”. The group’s unique style has entertained audiences in shows like WXTV’s “Sabado al Medio Dia” and UniVision’s “Al Despertar,” as well as radio listeners on WBAI and WADO. Raíces Habaneras and their sultry sounds have graced lived audiences as well at New York’s Town Hall Theater, The Park Theater in Union City, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Lehman College, CUNY, The Beacon Theater and several top rooms in Atlantic City. This year, Raíces Habaneras is one of the featured acts performing at the Seattle International Children’s Festival. The group has also performed with such music giants as Paquito D’Rivera and Michelle Camilo.

Raíces Habaneras is composed of some of the best-known names in the genre, they are:

David Oquendo ... Musical Director/Singer
Vicente Sanchez ...Percussionist
Ogduardo Diaz “Roman” ... Percussionist
Pedro Pablo Martinez ... Singer/Percussionist
Felix Insua “Pupy” ... Dancer
Rita Macias ... Dancer
Pedro Domenech ... Singer/Dancer
Xiomara Rodríguez ... Dancer
Gene Golden ... Percussionist
Ricky Salas ... Singer/Percussionist
Carlos Córdova ... Singer/Percussionist
Clemente Medina ... Percussionist
Jose Real “El Chino” ... Singer
Frank Bell ... Dancer/Percussionist