Edwin Ortiz Y La Mafia Del Guaguanco
Washington DC's premier Salsa Orchestra
In the early 80's, Edwin Ortiz, Band Leader, was playing with different groups throughout the Washington, DC Metro Area. It was great experience but, it all lacked SALSA. In an attempt to bring a true SALSA sound to Washington, DC, in November 1985, the band was founded. Originally and for 30 years thereafter, the band was known as Edwin Ortiz y su Orquesta La Romana. It was a tough start as merengue and cumbia were the most popular forms of latin music in the area. By the late 80's, the band had officially become Washington, DC's premier Orchestra. SALSA had finally taken it's rightful place as the #1 form of latin music in the area.
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The early 90's brought some fascinating changes to the music scene in the area. Dancers were educating themselves to the intricacies of salsa dance. Folks from all walks of life were learning not only the dance but also the music. This served to increase Orquesta La Romana's popularity and afforded the band the chance to play every night of the week. Washington, DC was becoming one of the TOP salsa cities in the world. People would travel from other cities such as New York and Chicago for the opportunity to dance with the great dance public in the area and experience its' LIVE SALSA music scene. It is during this time that Orquesta La Romana became the dancers choice for live entertainment. In 1992, Orquesta La Romana recorded its' first CD, Edwin Ortiz y Su Orquesta
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La Romana ....Ya Llego. You can enjoy one of the songs from this CD in the video link. This song was written by Ramon Rodriguez and arranged by the great Isidro Infante. Orquesta La Romana was now on the map and sharing stages and accompanying some to the biggest names in latin music. The band was not only sharing stages but also affording others to know that Washington, DC was indeed a great salsa city.
In 2015, at the Publick Playhouse Theater in Cheverly, Maryland at an event honoring Orquesta La Romana, the decision was made that after 30 years, the name of the band would be officially changed to Edwin Ortiz Y La Mafia Del Guaguanco. This change came about in part to educate younger salseros and salseras to the fact that prior to the commercialized term SALSA, the music was in fact called GUAGUANCO.
In 2015, at the Publick Playhouse Theater in Cheverly, Maryland at an event honoring Orquesta La Romana, the decision was made that after 30 years, the name of the band would be officially changed to Edwin Ortiz Y La Mafia Del Guaguanco. This change came about in part to educate younger salseros and salseras to the fact that prior to the commercialized term SALSA, the music was in fact called GUAGUANCO.
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We are working in the studio to bring our fans some new material. Here is a sample of what is coming. In the voice of Vivian Mojica, an original La Mafia Del Guaguanco arrangement of Los Van Van's classic Despues De Todo. Hope you enjoy.
Our current roster of musicians is as follows: Edwin Ortiz, Band Leader, Bongo, Vivian Mojica, Lead Vocals, Carmelo Saavedra, Lead Vocals, Bienvenido Peralta, Piano, Jorge Perez, Bass, Eduardo Padua, Congas, Patrick Noel, Timbales, Jorge Ayala, Trumpet, Ivan Navas, Saxophone and Mike Matarazzo, Trombone. |
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