LOS VAN VAN
Musical talent to grasp in every creation, facts of everyday life, happiness, sadness, successes
and failures. A skilled chronicler who reflects the images “popular sayings”, plus the picaresque
flavor of people , with a cute sense of contemporaries. To fusses texts, harmonies, rhythm,
cadence, to hand in a musical product of wide aesthetic, has scored plenty of cuts heating the
heels of Cuban dancers for 30 years, are some qualities that merit JUAN FORMELL Y LOS VAN
VAN from other orchestras.
In the Cuban musical history, JUAN FORMELL is recognized as one of the most profiles singer
songwriters. His catalog makes critic, specialists, and musicians all world over, feel impressed, as
well as influenced by his work. Formell begins as troubadour at age 16, after receiving the
influence of his father (an awarded music teacher) and study with high caliber players such as
Odilio Urfé , Socarrás and Orestes López “Cachao”.
As this time, Rock and Roll, The Mexican Trio Los Panchos, Benny Moré and Chapottin, for just
mentioning a few, influenced the sound of this adolescence. His
Professional debut takes place with Guillermo Rubalcaba, Charanga, later on Peruchin’s –two
personalities of Cuban piano school- . Years after, he begins doing his own arrangements. With
pianist and composer, Carlos Faxas, Formell produces for singers as Elena Burke – one of the
leading voices of “filin movement”.
In 1967,Formell scored a hit at Elio Revé Orchestra as bassist, composer and arranger. From this
time, dancers remember El Martes, whis brings newer sounds to Charanga ensembles
On December 4, 1969, VAN VAN makes his debut, and the Cuban music catalog enriches once
more. Formell creates Songo Rhythm mixing Caribbean flavor with elements of jazz, rock and the
unchallenged Son.
Electric violins andd piano, the typical Charanga sound of the flute, Afrocuban rhythms, and the
harmony of the voices similar to the trios; are in wide sense the timbre accomplished by JUAN
FORMELL Y LOS VAN VAN in all these years of tournées, recording, shows, festivals, music for
the cinema, theater plays and much more.
VAN VAN music is interprets by prestigious artists suchas Rubén Blades, Harry Belafonte, Ray
Barreto, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Roberto Roena, Vicente Valdés, Latin Fever, Andy
Montañés among many others.
JUAN FORMELL Y LOS VAN VAN have toured United States of Ameica, Hollanbd, France,
Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Mexico, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Colombia,
Brasil, Perú, Aruba, Guadalupe, Martinica,...taking their instante party atmosphere to make dance
multinational auditoriums.
Several documentary films and video clips have been broadcaster with the musical support of VAN
VAN phenomenon under the lead of JUAN FORMELL.
The have performed ALL ALONG Cuba. Their hegemony in the dancing music world is testified
with more than 20 LDs, with about 150 compositions, and the breaking of selling records in every
edition, crowned on top of National Hit.