Ali Bello
Ali Bello ‘The Charanga Syndicate’ releases everywhere 5/9/2025 on Circle 9 Records (C90011)
ALí Bello “The Charanga Syndicate” out Everywhere May 9, 2025
A celebration of the beloved musical tradition of charanga with a modern twist, featuring Arturo O’Farrill, Jeremy Bosch, Silvano Monasterios and others — arrives May 9th, 2025 Circle 9
Alí Bello, a consummate artist whose love for charanga runs so deep that he’s become a prominent champion for the genre, artfully celebrates this beloved musical tradition with Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate. A master violinist who’s worked with a spectacular range of musical icons including Johnny Pacheco, Paquito D’Rivera, Doc Severinsen, The Roots, and Beyoncé, Bello’s vibrant alchemy of classics and originals smartly revive charanga for a new generation of adoring audiences.
“At some point, you realize ‘This is mine!’ and you move beyond interpretation to create something that’s really new,” says Bello. Featuring guest artists pianist Arturo O’Farrill, vocalist Jeremy Bosch and keyboardist/arranger Silvano Monasterios, Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate takes charanga to spectacular new heights, ingeniously weaving inquisitive historical narratives into lively opportunities to experience Cuban musical heritage while you dance the night away.
Alí Bello ‘The Charanga Syndicate’ (C90011)
Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate is the tradition-forward, life-affirming new offering from Venezuelan-born violinist and composer Alí Bello, born of his passionate dedication to the traditional Cuban charanga ensemble style.
“The violin of Ali Bello and his tenacious compositions transport us to new horizons and introduce us to Venezuelan fusion music in a delightful way.”
Joined by special guests in keyboardists Arturo O’Farrill and Silvano Monasterios, vocalists Manolo Mairena and Silvano Monasterios, flutist Eddy Zervigon, the Charanga Syndicate consists of Bello on acoustic and baritone violins, flutist David Santiago Jr.; keyboardists Alec Castro, César Orozco, Marcus Persiani, and Gabriel Chakarji; baby bassist Abraham Sáenz, conguero Luis Mangual, multi-percussionist Manuel Márquez, and vocalists Luis Rosas and Alessandro Bello.
Alí Bello, Zinc Bar NYC
“This may be Mr. Bello’s sophomore album, but it is certainly one for the ages.”
Bello’s journey to charanga was anything but direct. At six, he picked up the violin, and marinated in music from all over the world — from reggae to salsa to rock and metal. After studying at El Sistema (the National System of Youth Orchestras of Venezuela), then relocated to New York City, where he worked with ensembles like Los Jóvenes del Barrio and Orchestra Broadway. In the process, he immersed himself in a range of genres — pop, R&B, jazz, rock, salsa, and, ultimately, his beloved charanga.
It’s one thing to uphold tradition; it’s another to broaden its horizons and pen new pages to its story. Thanks to charanga’s innate malleability and Bello’s caliber of artistry, the result is a perfect match. Partly by way of the Chamber Music of America’s New Jazz Works grant, the time was right for Bello’s Charanga Syndicate to step into the light.
The album kicks off with the aforementioned “Gauripumpé,” which demonstrates Bello’s facility in recasting the violin for roles traditionally assigned to the horn. Composed by Miguel Matamoras, the iconic son cubano song “Son De La Loma” is adorned with a buoyant arrangement from Cuban pianist Sonny Bravo; in tandem with Bello’s sonorous catgut, Santiago’s jubilant flute flutters like birdsong. The cha-cha “Gina’s Groove” is a piquant tribute to Bello’s wife, in all her idiosyncrasies and sides. Multi-hyphenate O’Farrill lends his talents to “Emiliando,” which brilliantly accentuates the Latin jazz side of charanga’s equation.
“Tres (Y Dos),” featuring Mairena on vocals, is a contrafact of Cuban guitarist Guillermo Castillo’s “Tres Lindas Cubanas.” The title refers to the foundational clave rhythm: three beats in the first measure, two in the second. Another original keeps it in the family, “Amadeus’ Rhumba” reconstitutes elements of Chick Corea’s “Armando’s Rhumba” into an homage to Bello’s son. The Charanga Syndicate then tackles Cuban singer, guitarist, and composer Guillermo Rodríguez Fiffe’s 1937 hit “Bilongo,” featuring a truly dynamite solo from Bello. Featuring Monasterios on the mic, their take on Ernesto Lecuona’s “La Comparsa” splices musical DNA from Chucho Valdés’ “Mambo Influenciado is La Comparsa Influenciada.” Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate touches down with Moisés Simons’ “El Manisero,” — generally known as a son, recast in 7/8 that skips like a stone.
“At some point, you realize, ‘This is mine!’ and you move beyond interpretation to create something that’s truly new,” Bello reflects in Michael Ambrosino’s liner notes. “You own the authority of what you’re doing.” Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate further underlines Bello’s authority in this music — not just in illuminating charanga’s past, but ushering this joy-springing sound into the future.
The Charanga Syndicate releases May 9, 2025 on Circle 9 Records.
Production Credits
Produced by Alí Bello
Recorded by Ismael Baiz & Alí Bello at Deep Purple Studio, NYC
Mixed by Ismael Baiz at Multi-Sound Studios, NYC
Mastered by Stephen Pettyjohn at Ethereal Mastering Studio
Photography by Larry Flin
Graphic Design by Jhoel Delgado
Tracklist
1 – Guaripumpé (feat Jeremy Bosch & Eddy Zervigón) – 04:25
2 – Son de la Loma – 06:05
3 – Gina’s Groove – 05:15
4 – Emiliando (feat. Arturo O’Farrill) – 06:49
5 – Tres (Y Dos) (feat. Manolo Mairena) – 05:06
6 – Amadeus’ Rhumba – 05:35
7 –Bilongo – 04:56
8 – La Comparsa Influenciada (feat. S. Monasterios) – 05:04
9 – El Manisero – 04:05
Personnel
Alí Bello - acoustic and baritone violins
David Santiago Jr. - flute
Alec Castro - keyboards (1)
César Orozco - keyboards (3, 6)
Marcus Persiani - keyboards (7)
Gabriel Chakarji - keyboards (7, 9)
Abraham Saenz - baby bass
Luis Mangual - congas
Manuel Márquez - timbales, congas, bongó, gúiro & bells
Luis Rosas - vocals (1, 3)
Alessandro Bello - vocals (1, 3)
Special Guests
Arturo O’Farrill - keyboards (4)
Eddy Zervigón - flute (1)
Jeremy Bosch - lead vocals (1)
Silvano Monasterios - keyboards (2, 5, 8)
Manolo Mairena - lead vocals (3, 5)
Ships in a 6-panel digisleeve with complete liner notes by Michael Ambrosino. Album art by Jhoel Delgado. Ships May 9, 2025.