In the early 2000s, Los Pinguos moved to Los Angeles from Buenos Aires and began establishing their signature rich, joyful and danceable sound. Deeply rooted in Latin rhythms and raised on rock-n-roll, they are all about bringing culture and people together.
In fact, it’s in the roots of the cumbia music they play. Cumbia started in Colombia in the late 1800s, then picked up momentum and spread across Latin America. By the 1960s, each country had added its own flavor. A welcoming and ever-diversifying genre, cumbia’s rhythms are a unifying force among Latine communities that compels its listeners to get up and dance.
Los Pinguos embody the community of cumbia through their collaborations with Playing for Change, a project that connects musicians across the globe through song. Los Pinguos are featured in “With My Own Two Hands,” where they represent Buenos Aires and Argentina.
Grand Annex favorite Twanguero (Diego Garcia) recently formed a super cumbia-rumba group called Los Silverbacks, which features two members of Los Pinguos – lead singer Coco Buono and lead guitarist José Agote. They brought the house down last April at the Annex.
On October 12, Los Pinguos will delve deeper into their journey from Buenos Aires to Los Angeles. Grand Vision board member and fellow Argentinian Lucrecia Jacobson will moderate a conversation with band leader Adrian “Coco” Buono detailing the group’s story and how they have developed the band in Los Angeles. The band will also teach some of their songs so that the audience can sing along during the show!
Join Los Pinguos on October 12 at the Grand Annex for a sing-along, discussion and concert to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Come prepared to dance and have fun!