Background
Background
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Conjunto Alegre, which translates as "Happy Band," was created by Aquiles Montas in September 1987, when he folded the core members of his previous band "Ritomo Tropical" (est. 1984 and co-led by his friend Pedro Beltran). Aquiles brought vocalist Manuela Figueroa, Rogerto Cruz and percussionist Amador Marcano.
What makes Conjunto Alegre different from other Latin bands in the NW is the variety of music styles they play: Salsa from Puerto Rico and Cuba; Merengue and Bachata from the Dominican Republic; Cumbia from Colombia/El Salvador/Mexico; Chachacha and also many songs in English.
Since then Alegre has been constantly performing at festivals such as Portland Rose Festival, Cinco Mayo, Salsa en la Calle, Mt Hood Jazz Festival, Portland Mayors Ball, Eugene Celebration, Salem Art Fest, Seattle Folklife, and more.
Since then Alegre has been constantly performing at festivals such as Portland Rose Festival, Cinco Mayo, Salsa en la Calle, Mt Hood Jazz Festival, Portland Mayors Ball, Eugene Celebration, Salem Art Fest, Seattle Folklife, and more.
Portland Salsa Congress 2017
Aquiles Montas has an obvious love for music shows on stage, with his high-energy approach to playing instruments, directing the band, dancing, and most of all the connection with the audience. The level of engagement Alegre gets with each audience gives the atmosphere of being in the Caribbean, which is why he and Conjunto Alegre holds multiple awards: Best Latin Band from the US Army 1994, Best Latin Song from Portland Mayor's Ball 1998, and from Portland Salsa Congress Latin Artist of the Year 2017, Latin Band of the Year 2018, Lifetime Achievement Award 2019.
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