Grupo Rebolú is a New York-based Afro-Colombian band that makes music in the style of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. They will make you dance.
Grupo Rebolú in New York City
“Que paso?” release
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 ~ Rebolú releases “Que paso?” the first song and video from their upcoming album “Tiempos Buenos” (Good Times).
The song is about something many of us can relate to. Guy shows up late to his first date. The girl asks, “Que paso?” (What happened?). Wouldn’t it be great to hear the answer to that one?
Notice how the song ends with children singing, “Queremos Paz pa’ Colombia” (We want peace for Colombia)? We need to make the peace for them, the children of Colombia.
The song is a champeta which is one of Colombia’s African rhythms. There are really cool YouTube videos of kids dancing champeta in Colombia.
Wild Birds
Saturday, March 28, 2020 ~ Rebolú plays Wild Birds in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Ginny’s Supper Club
Thursday, April 9, 2020 ~ Rebolú plays Ginny’s Supper Club at the Red Rooster in Harlem, NYC.
Battery Park
Saturday, July 25, 2020 ~ Rebolú plays a special show with dancers. More info to follow.
Grupo Rebolú is pure Colombian Energy
The core of the band is Ronald Polo (vocalist/gaitero), Morris Canate (folkloric percussionist), and Johanna Castaneda (vocalist).
Colombia is a very multicultural country. Rebolú is Afro-Colombian, but with an Afro-Pop sound. You might call it Salsa, but it really isn’t. It has the energy of Mapalé, one of Colombia’s roots African music and dances.
Rebolú makes African music with Latin and Native American influences sung in Caribbean Spanish in New York City. How about that?
Singer-songwriter Ronald Polo plays the gaita, a Native Colombian flute. It’s amazing how Native American culture survived in Colombia. And you can hear some Andean melodies in the group’s music.
It is difficult to label Rebolú. The only thing certain is that their high-energy delivery will make your body move. They will make you dance ~ even if you can’t. That’s the traditional purpose of music and dance, to get you out of yourself. That’s what Grupo Rebolú does.
Past Grupo Rebolú Shows
Terraza 7
Friday, February 21, 2020 ~ Rebolú plays Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 10pm. $15
Brooklyn Bowl
Monday, October 28, 2019 ~ Rebolú plays Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 8pm. $8
ColombiaFest IV
Saturday-Sunday, October 21-22, 2017 ~ Rebolú plays the ColombiaFest IV Cultural Trade Fair at Penn Plaza Pavilion in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Carnaval de Barranquilla
Saturday, February 25, 2017 ~ Rebolú plays a Carnaval de Barranquilla party at Caballeros de Colon at 2312 Summit Ave in Union City, NJ, at 8 pm.
SOB’s
Saturday, February 18, 2017 ~ Rebolú plays SOB’s in Tribeca at 8 & 10 pm.
Grupo Rebolú Albums
Tiempos Buenos (Good Times, 2020)
Next Stop (2015)
Abriendo Caminos (Open Roads, 2009)
To learn more about the artists, visit GrupoRebolu.com