Ghandaia

Ghandaia, based in Austin, Texas, fuses sonic traditions drawn from North, Central, and South America to reshape the meaning of “American music.” The ensemble first assembled in early 2000, uniting players whose backgrounds span Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, and the United States. At its center stand Ed Jarusinsky on drums, Greg Jones on guitars, Pablo Larios on bass, and Alex Marrero handling lead vocals, guitars, and percussion; the lineup can expand to nine members once the potent percussion and horn section joins. In 2003 the group issued its first album, Uno, whose track “A Côr do Som” reached millions of listeners through a nationwide Volkswagen commercial. Festival appearances soon followed at the San Jose Jazz Festival, ACL Festival, and SXSW. Steady live dates paired with independent radio exposure helped the band build a loyal following across Latin, world-music, and jam-band audiences. Evolucion, released in 2007, earned both favorable reviews and warm responses from listeners. Ghandaia continues to maintain an active tour itinerary across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.