Our artist
Yeny Valdés
Yenisel Valdés, currently residing in San Francisco, California, is the lead artist and singer of the Teambahia orchestra, a musical project creatively directed by her husband, Erick Barberia. Originally from Pinar del Río, Cuba, she showcased her passion for singing from an early age, graduating as an Art Instructor in Choral Direction. Her remarkable career and ability to improvise on stage have made her an extraordinary and respected vocalist in the Cuban music scene. Since 1995, she has participated in various groups such as Los Reyes 73 and Sello LA. In 1997, she joined NG la Banda, contributing to five record productions, and in 2001, Juan Formell incorporated her into Los Van Van, Cuba's musical flagship, a hitmaker, and the pride of all Cubans. She was the first woman to join the orchestra, where she remained for 16 years with great popularity and five Latin Grammy nominations. Her legacy reflects her dedication to art and her ability to make those who identify with her music dance, bringing joy to their hearts on any stage worldwide, especially to Cubans, regardless of where they are.
Our artist
Erick Barbería
Erick Barbería, a Cuban dancer, singer, and percussionist currently residing in San Francisco, California, has had a distinguished artistic career that evolved from his beginnings in the Community Artistic Company Korimakao in Matanzas, Cuba. He played a role as a teacher of folk and popular Afro-Cuban dance, singing, and percussion at the National and International School of Arts in Havana, Cuba (ENA and CENCEA). His strong connection to Cuban traditions and family legacy, particularly through his father, Luis Barbería, a singer in the Orchestra of Enrique Jorrin, the creator of the cha-cha-chá, has significantly influenced his artistic evolution.
Presently, Erick, alongside his wife Yeny Valdes, leads the Teambahia Orchestra, which resurged in 2022, offering a unique musical experience blending the traditional with the contemporary. His musical approach serves as a gateway to understanding popular Cuban movements and rhythms, elevating dancers to a higher level of expression.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prominent artists and groups, participating in iconic events such as the San Francisco Carnival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, SFJazz Paramount Theater, Lyon Auditorium, elbphilharmonie Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Detroit Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Jazz Lincoln Center, Chicago Symphony Center, Kennedy Center, Barcelona Jazz Festival, Palau de la Musica Catalana, philharmonie de Paris, Berklee Performance Center, Adrienne Arsht Center, The Knight Concert Hall. His involvement in the recording with Chucho Valdés in 2006 and subsequent work on “La Creación” underscore his valuable contribution to Afro-Cuban jazz.
With a rich and diverse trajectory, Erick Barbería continues to enrich the Cuban musical scene, taking his art to new heights and leaving a lasting mark on music and dance.