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Pepito Gomez Bio:

Called “another order of performer” by Ben Ratliff of the NY Times Jose "Pepito" Gomez has taken New York by storm since his very recent arrival from Cuba in May 2008. Jose Gomez is best known as the one of the founders, composers and lead singers of the top band "Cesar Pedroso y Los Que Son Son" during the last 8 years.

His popularity in Europe and all over the world with Pupy was highlighted by people being turned away in Italy at Club La Tropical, which holds 5000 people. His voice is both beautiful and strong with a timbre that is very rarely found.

Jose “Pepito” Gomez was born in a small town called Florida, in the province of Camaguey, Cuba in 1971. Florida is well known as the hometown of many of Cuba’s most important popular music icons.

After a few years of singing with small local bands, the word was out on the street that Maravilla de florida was looking for a new singer. Mr. Gomez went in for the audition and was tested on voice and improvisation skills. Shortly thereafter he was accepted as a new lead singer of his hometown band . Maravilla de Florida boasts more over 50 years of rich musical tradition and prides itself on being a band with several number one hits in Cuba. This would be the band that would begin to shape his future singing career.

Mr. Gomez later met Enrique Álvarez, violinist and director of the Charanga Latina Orchestra. Mr. Alvarez asked Mr. Gomez to join his band. He remained with La Charanga Latina for a period of two years during which he took part in several tours in Europe and North America.

After his departure from La Charanga Latina he carried out a few solo projects and participated as in projects such as Cole – Cole and Azucar Negra, which lead him on tour to New York City’s Lincoln Center.

A big break came he was asked to join Habana Ensemble, a band that was formed due to the separation of some of the members of one of most important and influential Latin Jazz Bands not only in Cuba but worldwide, Irakere. This represented a new challenge in his career where he found himself training in the highest level of Cuban music which motivated him to continue developing professionally. With Havana Ensemble he traveled extensively including a presentation at Columbia University in NY.

It was during this time that he met one of the most important figures in the history of Cuban Music Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso. Mr. Pedroso was then the pianist, co founder and composer of the most popular Cuban Music group in the world, Los Van Van. Van Van enjoys a 40 year history on top in the Cuban Music scene and worldwide.

Mr. Pedroso was planning a solo project that would be later known as Los Que Son Son. He invited Mr. Gomez to join his new band as lead singer therefore becoming one of the original founding members. He remained with the Band until his recent decision to immigrate to the United States. With Los Que Son Son he had the great privilege to travel and present his music in the most prestigious venues around the world.

Additionally, he was given the opportunity to share the stage with artists of the caliber of Gilberto Santarosa and Cheo Feliciano as well a multitude of other world famous orchestras and singers.

This jam with Grammy Nominated Clave Secreta earned Jose Pepito Gomez the following NY Times Mention:

But at the end, on Mr. Grau's song "Fachada o Nada," something unexpected happened: The Cuban singer Pepito Gomez appeared.

Mr. Gomez, who was a member of the band Pupy y los que Son Son before he left Cuba last year and settled in Miami, is another order of performer. For about five minutes he improvised in his thundering, needling high voice, finally settling on a narrow pitch area, starting every torrent with "oye!," making the band members look at one another in astonishment and play harder.

Ben Ratcliff-The New York Times-January 30, 2009

Pepito with Juan De Marcos and the Afro Cuban All Stars at Town Hall, NYC 3 28 09

Pepito singing the hit Un poquito a Reves with Pupy y Los Que Son Son in Cuba.

Pepito jamming with Maraca at SOBS October 1, 2008