Los van van

Los Van Van, El Tren de Cuba, arrives at the Cabaret Sauvage in Paris on Friday, June 12, 2026. Founded in Havana in 1969 by bassist and composer Juan Formell, the orchestra shaped the songo by blending charanga, son and rumba with touches of pop, rock, funk, salsa and timba. The contributions of Changuito on percussion and César “Pupy” Pedroso on piano sharpened the rhythmic machinery, while Pedro Calvo’s voice marked the 1970s. Over time the lineup expanded, notably with the addition of trombones, without losing its grounding in urban dance.

On stage, supple bass lines, piano tumbaos, call-and-response backing vocals and timbale breaks carry a repertoire that includes Tránsito, Llegó Van Van, Chapeando, La Fantasía, Legado and Modo Van Van. After Formell’s passing in 2014, the group continued on and keeps alive a sound that has become a signature of the island. In Paris, audiences embark on a collective journey where songo sets the pace, alternating between recent releases and standout classics. Paris, make way for the train.