Plena Libre mix traditional Puerto Rican rhythms with modern Afro-Caribbean influences, and folkloric musical roots with contemporary compositions. These four-time Grammy Award nominees combine a hard-hitting horn section, master hand drummers, and lush three-part vocal harmonies into a modern blend.
They’ve toured the world from Morocco to California and everywhere in between, and recorded with some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Eddie Palmieri, Papo Lucca, and Nestor Torres.
Over the course of a 24-year, 15-album career, bandleader Gary Nunez and his orchestra have revived the once-dormant plena sound for a new generation, electrifying audiences with a dazzling spectacle of horns, drums, and dance.
Plena Libre plays SOB’s for the World Music Institute
Plena Libre plays traditional Puerto Rican rhythms – plena and bomba – with modern Caribbean influences for the World Music Institute at SOB’s, Sounds of Brazil in Hudson Square, Manhattan (West SoHo) on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 8 pm. Doors at 7 pm. $20
Plena Libre Tickets
$20
Get tickets at worldmusicinstitute.org
Visit SOB’s
204 Varick St, New York, NY 10014
(at West Houston)
Hudson Square, Manhattan (West SoHo)
(212) 243-4940
Subway
- (C) (E) to Spring St. Walk 1 block west and 3 blocks north.
- (1) (2) (3) to Christopher St. Walk about six blocks south on Seventh Avenue.
Plena Libre Bandmembers
Bassist Gary Nunez has led the band for 24 years (since 1994). Emanuel Santana sings and plays hand drums.
- Victor Velez sings and plays hand drums.
- Lusga Nuñez sings chorus and plays percussion.
- Rafael Falu plays requinto drum.
- Luis Rivera sings and plays percussion.
Plena Libre Albums
The band has released 15 albums and earned four Grammy Award nominations.
Mas Libre (2001) earned a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Tropical Traditional Album.”
Mi Ritmo (2003) was nominated for a Grammy and Latin Grammy as “Best Tropical Traditional Album.”
Evolucion (2006) was nominated for a Latin Grammy for “Best Tropical Traditional Album.”
MORE | Puerto Rican culture | Folk | Music | Dancing | SOB’s | Hudson Square