Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion

Biography

Orquesta La Moderna Tradición is a San Francisco-based ensemble founded in 1996 by violinist, composer, and arranger Tregar Otton and master Cuban percussionist/dancer Roberto Borrell. The group was established with the mission to revive and modernize the classic Cuban charanga sound, particularly focusing on danzón, cha-cha-chá, and son cubano, blending these traditional genres with contemporary arrangements and improvisations. Their music is characterized by the interplay of violins, woodwinds, and vibrant Afro-Cuban rhythms, captivating both dancers and music aficionados.

From its inception, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición quickly became a significant force in the resurgence of Cuban dance music in the United States. The ensemble has performed at prestigious venues and festivals, including the Lincoln Center in New York, the Smithsonian Institution, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival, and has released three acclaimed albums. Their performances are known for their infectious grooves, lyrical melodies, and dazzling improvisations, making them a staple of the Bay Area Latin music scene and beyond.

The group’s legacy lies in its dedication to preserving and innovating within the Cuban charanga tradition, inspiring a new generation of musicians and dancers. By combining deep respect for the genre’s roots with creative modern touches, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición has played a pivotal role in the broader movement to recover and celebrate the elegance and vitality of danzón and related Cuban styles.

Fun Facts

• Orquesta La Moderna Tradición was the first West Coast ensemble dedicated to performing danzón, a foundational 19th-century Cuban style.
• Violinist and director Tregar Otton began his classical music training at age four and was composing for symphony orchestras as a teenager.
• The group has performed at major venues such as the Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival.
• Their collaborations have included special projects with flamenco ensemble Potaje and performances with Cuban trumpet legend Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Kent Nagano - Tregar Otton's early classical mentor; Otton joined the Berkeley Symphony under Nagano and was commissioned to compose a symphonic suite (Symphonic suite for Oakland Youth Symphony) [Early 1980s]
• Juan Carlos Formell - Collaborated with Tregar Otton in New York, influencing his understanding of Cuban music traditions (Collaborative performances in New York) [Early 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Roberto Borrell - Co-founder, percussionist, and dancer; key in shaping the group’s Cuban authenticity (All albums and live performances) [1996–present]
• Michael Spiro - Founding percussionist and arranger, contributed to the ensemble’s rhythmic foundation (Early albums and live shows) [1996–2000s]
• Chus Alonso - Founding member and flutist, integral to the charanga sound (All albums and live performances) [1997–present]
• Carlos Caro - Timbales player, central to the group’s percussion section (Live performances and recordings) [1990s–present]
• Sandy Poindexter - Violinist, contributing to the ensemble’s signature melodic lines (Live performances and recordings) [1990s–present]
• Potaje - Collaborative projects blending Cuban and flamenco music (Joint concerts and creative projects) [Late 1990s–2000s]

Artists Influenced

• Bay Area Latin dance bands - Inspired a new generation of musicians to explore and perform Cuban charanga and danzón (Local band repertoires and festival programming) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Juárez (Putumayo Presents Vintage Latino)
2. Mi Chachachá (Putumayo Presents Rumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha)
3. Mi Cha cha cha (Goza Conmigo)
4. Canta la Ceiba, Baila la Palma Real (En Canto)
5. En el Tiempo de la Colonia (En Canto)
6. Soy Matancero (En Canto)
7. Contrólate (En Canto)
8. Popurrí a Francia (Goza Conmigo)
9. Goza Conmigo (Goza Conmigo)
10. Los Tres Bailadores (Goza Conmigo)

External Links

• Spotify