Chiquito Team Band

La Chiquito Team Band operates as a five-piece ensemble of salseros fronted by its originators, Chiquito Timbal (Rafael Berroa) and Manuel Piano (Emmanuel Frias). Alberto María, Kelvin Saviñon, and Lugo Santana supply the choral support and step forward for occasional featured turns, all backed by an energetic salsa orchestra. The musicians have branded their fresh approach to tropical music “La Industria Salsera.”

Although the two principals were still young when the project began, both Chiquito Timbal and Manuel Piano had already accumulated years of professional vocal experience dating back to childhood. Working independently, each had shared stages or recordings with Julián Oro Duro, Bonny Cepeda, José Peña Suazo, Jossie Esteban, Giro, Yiyo Sarante, El Clasicom, and additional artists. Frequent encounters on the same circuit led to friendship, after which they resolved to establish a joint musical venture that would encompass both performance and production responsibilities.

The group officially launched in June of 2012 and refined its sound incrementally. Initial releases such as “Volveré,” “Círar el Otro Parte,” “Querida,” and “Lupita” received radio airplay and circulation, allowing the band to begin live performances while shaping its distinctive vocal and dance presentation. Its first full-length album, La Industria Salsera, appeared in 2014 and contained thirteen selections, among them the earlier singles plus “Homenaje a Joe Arroyo” and “La Macarena.” The Dominican Republic chart placement earned the quintet headline billing on tours throughout the Caribbean and Florida. One year afterward the ensemble issued the follow-up single “Llamada de Mi Ex.” Following nearly two years of road work, the pre-release track “Me Marcho” surfaced in June of 2017 and quickly ascended the streaming and digital rankings.