Pellejo Seco is a Cuban Son Fusion band based out of San Francisco’s Bay Area. Ivan Camblor is the tresero, composer and founder of Pellejo Seco, and former leader of Cuba’s Son group Tembache. Ivan humbly considers Pellejo Seco a musical experiment, and says that he’s simply doing what he learned to do in Cuba’s streets, namely traditional Cuban Son. However, he does this within the cultural context of San Francisco. “All I’m doing is simply putting what it is I would like to hear out there”, says Ivan, “I just want to do what I know how to do, traditional Cuban music, while enriching it with new perspectives.”

With their “Experimental Son Cubano”, they skillfully blend strands of various musical genres from blues, rock, jazz, flamenco to hip-hop, with the unmistakable sound of Cuban Son and the yearning melodies of the Cuban troubadour. Various critics have heralded Pellejo Seco as the next Buena Vista Social Club, in particular after they performed to sold out crowds opening up for Latin jazz great Chuchito Valdés, at the Mission’s Brava Theater in January of this year.

Pellejo Seco began in mid 2004, and by 2006 had already produced its first successful album entitled: “Enganchate”, which means: “Get hooked”, and it’s definitely easy to get hooked to this band’s various charming and sexy tunes.

Flexible creativity is this band’s strength, which makes their palpable harmony an enticing listening experience. Pellejo Seco’s ability to channel their unique character into soulful music, that entices you to enjoy yourself, in spite of any musical preferences is an artistic accomplishment in itself.

What stands out the most about Pellejo Seco is that they genuinely have: “La Alegria del Guajiro.” Which translates: “The joyous sentiment of an ‘Islander’.” It’s a particularly Latin kind of sentiment that only someone from Caribbean countries such as Cuba can express. Their songs are sexy, rhythmic and romantic. Their first album “Enganchate” leaves you impressed and satisfied while still craving more. However, their music is pushing traditional boundaries since their production of “Enganchate”.

Pellejo Seco’s trademark Cuban troubadour sound and the blues are essentially not that far of a stretch. It is only fitting that Ivan would have traces of it in his recent compositions. The blues, besides being music that expresses lamentation, expresses hope, which is not much different from a troubadour’s affections. The tradition of the troubadour gives musical expression to the feelings of longing and love that are so near yet so far, universal human yearnings that are an ever recurring theme.

Contributing to Pellejo Seco’s charming sound, that drives audiences wild is that it's fundamental to Ivan that each of the musicians in the group, add their own distinct influences and sound to the repertoire they play. This in turn, makes Pellejo Seco a truly successful collaborative project which re-works the formula of traditional Cuban Son. About this innovative formula. Ivan states, “I simply compose what I want, and usually it works. And although you may have a lot of ideas, without the support of solid, dedicated and experienced musicians, your ideas can’t come to life.”

Ivan’s trust in the ability of his musicians to interpret his music, and the dynamic character of the lineup, is how Pellejo Seco’s magic happens. This eclectic band consists of San Francisco and Cuban artists, who each have impressive musical résumés. They are: Livan Montoya, the epitomy of a ‘funky smooth’ bassist, Osvaldo Carvajal ‘el guajiro’ on vocals and percussion, and soulful jazz trumpeter Mario Silva, who has worked primarily with jazz, pop, and Latin ensembles. The latest extraordinary additions to Pellejo Seco’s lineup are none other than infamous vocalist Fito Reinoso, and legendary rhumbero percussionist Sandy Perez.

Currently they’re recording their second album, which is amazing considering that the band was founded but three years ago. This band’s energetic bond comes across every time they perform and even when they’re simply rehearsing. This palpable blend of harmony and rhythm serves up Cuban Son with dashes of eclectic San Francisco flavors, which makes Pellejo Seco’s new musical production worthy of anticipation. ♦


Pellejo Seco will perform their new material at Yoshi’s in the Jack London Square in Oakland, on May 28th. If you want to catch them earlier, you can check them out at San Francisco’s Carnaval May 26th through the 27th. For more information on Pellejo Seco’s upcoming performances check out www.PellejoSeco.com.

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