Manolito Y Su Trabuco

Manolito y Su Trabuco, led by pianist and arranger Manolito Simonet, emerged in 1993 as one of Cuba’s most dynamic timba and salsa bands, blending the traditional charanga format with a powerful brass section and modern rhythmic elements. After Simonet’s departure from Maravilla de Florida, the group quickly gained recognition with their debut album Directo al corazón (1995), followed by Contra todos los pronósticos (1996), which helped bridge the gap between timba and the international salsa market. Their signature sound, driven by intricate horn arrangements, driving percussion, and the voices of standout singers like Rosendo "El Gallo" Díaz and Sixto "El Indio" Llorente, set them apart in the genre. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, albums like Marcando la distancia (1998) and Se rompieron los termómetros (2001) cemented their reputation as a force in Cuban music. Manolito Simonet's compositions, often influenced by R&B and other Latin styles, expanded their reach across Mexico and South America. Over the next few decades releases like La Vida Cambió (2018) and Trabuco (2023) showcased their continued evolution while staying true to their roots as one of the most respected timba orchestras in Cuba.