SonSublime is a Cuban Charanga orchestra based in the New York City area, playing the classic styles of Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha and Son. SonSublime embraces these classic styles and enhances them with a fresh, energetic sound adored by young and mature dancers alike.

Jesse Herrero, born in Santiago de Cuba, has led the band to new heights while maintaining the classical traditions of his native land. Herrero’s singing career began with Mike Perez, one of the key members of SonSublime. In 1972 Jesse joined forces with Mike and his band, Tipica New York. In 1973, legendary, virtuoso Felix (Pupi) Legarretta, violinist, flautist and a member of the Fania All Stars, recruited Jesse into his band, Pupi y Su Charanga.

With the support of his friends, club owners and promoters, in 1975, Jesse Herrero launched his exciting young swinging Charanga band in New York City, under the name Sublime. The “Big Apple” falls in love with Sublime’s sound. In 1977 Jesse received a recording contract from TR Records, whose owner was the late Tito Rodriguez, a legendary singer and orchestra leader. Their first hit Coqueta put Sublime on top of the New York City Latin music scene. In 1979 Sublime recorded TTH Recording Inc. (Ten Top Hits) bringing another radio hit by Herrero’s composition “El Mujeriego”.

Sublime became well established in the music industry. Cuban singer and businessman, Roberto Torres decided to record Jesse Herrero’s Sublime with his label SAR - Guajiro Records. Under SAR - Guajiro Records, Roberto Torres produced “Simplemente” Sublime and “Masitas de Pollo”, another song written by Jesse Herrero, was born. After ten glorious years of bringing great Charanga music to the scene, Jesse officially dissolved the band in 1985 to pursue other interests in the world of finance.

Fifteen years later in the year 2000, after much encouragement from musicians and friends, the group reformed as SonSublime. In March 2001, Jesse Herrero’s own recording label, LASEMCo., released its first recording "Irresistible” under the new name, SonSublime. This was followed by their second recording, the classic "Gran Reserva”, which was released in October 2002.

on May 6, 2006 LASEMCo. released SonSublime's third CD entitled Bailando con SonSublime

Numerous clubs in New York City, including Webster Hall, Bongo, West Gate Lounge, Winners Circle, S.O.B’s and The Wild Palm, Copacabana and LQ host and continue to host SonSublime. Former venues include La Maganette, La Belle Epoque, Nells, Le Bar Bat, The Village Underground and Noche. Albert Torres, promoter and founder of the Salsa Congress on the West Coast hosts SonSublime in California. The orchestra performed at numerous festivals including The Hudson River Festival, El Festival Latino by Music in the Air in Columbus, Ohio and the Cityfolk Festival in Dayton, Ohio and the annual La Fiesta del Mamoncillo. SonSublime performed at Lincoln Center’s outdoor concert, Mid-Summer Night Swing. They have also appeared in concert at Town Hall in Manhattan and at Lasdon Park & Arboretum in Somers, New York.

SonSublime maintains the rhythmic foundation of the original Cuban Son combined with intricate arrangements and orchestration to create an energetic, robust New York City sound that relates to all Latin American cultures. "My objective is to keep the Cuban Charanga tradition alive for dancers all over the world", says Herrero. By preserving the essence of this Cuban musical style, SonSublime is also committed to educating music aficionados of all ages and cultures. They invite you to join them in this noble effort.

SonSublime’s orchestration is as follows:

The strong rhythm section is anchored by veteran Gil Suarez, pianist and former leader of the Hi-Latins and La Tipica Ideal Orchestras. Bassist, Marino Solano, was previously a member El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Rafael Cortijo, Primitivo Santos, Roberto Torres' S.A.R. All Stars, Charanga De La 4, Orquestra Broadway and Jose Fajardo.

Joining this solid rhythm section are original band members from Jesse Herrero’s previous band, Sublime. Joe Gonzalez on Conga drums is veteran of the group Saoco. Manny Rivera on Timbales and Bongos, began his music career playing Bongo in a Latin workshop band in 1973, which eventually became Orquesta Yambú. Jesse Herrero, besides leading the band, adds an essential component to the rhythm section with the Cuban Guiro and is also one of the lead vocalists.

On violin is Dr. Mike Perez, native of La Habana, Cuba. Mike Perez earned his Doctorate from the University of Texas and was also the founder of Tipica New York. He has been a member of Orquesta Aragon, Broadway and Charanga 76. Joining Mike Perez on violin is Colombian born Oscar Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez was raised in Venezuela where he obtained a Masters Degree in Music Education. He is also an accomplished classical musician.

New York born flutist, Connie Grossman earned a BFA in Flute Performance and a MAT in Music Education. She has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad and has studied and performed in Cuba. She performs as a Latin jazz and classical soloist, and during her career has recorded with Yomo Toro, Charanson, The Latin Jazz Coalition, Companhia das Musicas, and Pasion. In SonSublime’s recordings, Grossman demonstrates superb technical ability and a command of the Cuban genre that few flautists possess.

Gilberto Velasquez joins Jesse Herero on vocals. Mr. Velasquez was born in New York and is of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent. Gilberto has a remarkable range as a vocalist that adds great strength to SonSublime’s vocal section. The song “Mi Charanga”, on Bailando con SonSublime’s CD was composed by Gilberto Velasquez. Gilberto and Jesse’s harmony creates the unique and attractive sound of SonSublime.


Some editorial reviews:

Rudy Mangual, Editor in Chief of Latin Beat Magazine said: "Like a fine wine, SonSublime continues to age nicely, acquiring a fuller flavor and body of sound".

Oasissalsero.com, October 2002: SonSublime es la orquesta que hemos estado esperando. Inteligente, bella y cargada de energía de principio a fin.

New York Times, April 2001: SonSublime “IRRESISTIBLE” has all the elements that make a great CD for all to hear and dance. Cuban music at its very best !!! Without a dough, a masterpiece !!!

Editor's Pick: Descarga.com, October 11, 2002: Superlative Charanga...intoxicating dance rhythms. Herrero is the perfect vocalist. Includes a terrific new version of "Coqueta". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Descarga.com, October 2002: Superlative. Simply stated, this is Charanga at its best...Herrero is the perfect vocalist for this style. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Joe Sixpack, Slipcue.com Cuban Music Guide, October 2002: Punctuated throughout with dancing, birdlike flute… lovely, timeless, classic island style. It's really a sweet album, definitely worth checking out.

El Diario La Prensa, 15 de noviembre del 2002: Recoge con excelente profesionalismo y celoso sabor lo mejor de la Charanga cubana. Lo saboreara ... como una exquisita reserva.

Here is a quote from poet Iraida Iturralde, president of The Cuban Cultural Center of New York: "To dance with SonSublime is to evoke the past and to dream of tomorrow, it is tradition and evolution, it is a return to the roots and a flight to the unknown. With a rich repertoire of son, mambo, cha-cha-cha and Danzon, SonSublime rescues, with surprising innovative twists, the most indigenous sounds of Cuban popular music".

SonSublime's CD IRRESISTIBLE has sold over 80,000 CDs since March 2001.
SonSublime's CD GRAN RESERVA has sold over 50,000 CDs since October 2002.
To purchase their CDs, please log on to http://www.sonsublime.com

SonSublime performs at clubs and dancehalls in the New York City area, across the U.S. and abroad. We are available for private functions and events. For the latest reviews on Irresistible visit amazon.com. For the latest reviews on Gran Reserva visit amazon.com.

For information on booking the band, contact
Jesse Herrero at (914) 373- 4468
or send email to: sonsublime@sonsublime.com