“A groove as intense as a runaway train, calling to mind the full bodied sound of past masters Perez Prado and Tito Puente.” —NPR

Orquesta Akokán exploded onto the global scene in 2018, electrifying audiences with their bold, 21st-century take on Cuban mambo. Led by Chulo Records producer Jacob Plasse and arranger Michael Eckroth, they unite Havana’s finest musicians to craft a sound that’s timeless yet fiercely modern — infused with akokán, the Cuban word for “from the heart.”

Their latest album, Caracoles, dives deep into the golden era of mambo, echoing legends like Benny Moré and Perez Prado, but with an edge that's pure 2024 Havana. Recorded live in Cuba’s iconic Abdala Producciones, every note pulses with raw, danceable energy. The horns blaze, the grooves hit hard, and when the solos fly, they evoke bebop legends like Charlie Parker — but with a fresh, Havana twist.

Funds provided by the Evelyn & Mo Ostin Endowment for the Performing Arts.