Las Guaracheras

Las Guaracheras 

Acclaimed all-women salsa sextet from Cali, Colombia, one of the world’s most celebrated centers of salsa music, makes their EDWINS debut.

Presented by Dominick Farinacci

PLUS: FREE 5PM PRE-SHOW MASTERCLASS (Masterclass in partnership with Tri-C JazzFest Academy)

Las Guaracheras is an acclaimed all-women salsa sextet from Cali, Colombia, one of the world’s most celebrated centers of salsa music. Formed in 2017, the ensemble has developed a distinctive sound rooted in Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Colombian musical traditions and the classic salsa sextet format, distinguished by its use of vibraphone alongside piano, bass, percussion and vocals.

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Their original music places women’s perspectives at the center of contemporary Latin music, with songs exploring identity, resilience, transformation and the experience of women within the music industry. Their recorded work includes the EP Lo que somos, featuring original compositions such as “Al otro lado,” “Ahora mírala,” “Se formó” and “Nos sacudimos,” followed by newer releases including “Rumba Mahi Cosombo” and “Camino.”

While deeply connected to salsa tradition, Las Guaracheras approach the music with a contemporary sensibility - combining intricate rhythmic interplay, improvisation and powerful vocals with the energy of a band built for the live stage. Their performances have earned them a growing international following while establishing the group as a distinctive new voice in today’s Afro-Latin music landscape.

Over the past several years, Las Guaracheras have built an international presence through performances across North America, Latin America and Europe. Their appearances have included Sunfest in Canada, Cubadisco in Cuba, BIME in Spain, Portamérica Latitudes/FIMPRO and Mexico City’s Zócalo, along with major U.S. engagements including the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, Freight & Salvage, LACMA’s Latin Sounds series and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. The group was also selected for the 2025–26 Mid Atlantic Arts Performing Arts Exchange (PAGE) roster.

As part of their EDWINS appearance, Las Guaracheras will help raise awareness and support for communities affected by the recent earthquake in Colombia. Those wishing to contribute to relief efforts can make an online donation through Direct Relief: https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/colombia-earthquake-2026/

Diana Sánchez

Throughout her life, Diana Sánchez has pursued various musical studies. From a very young age, she began her career as a vocalist with several children's groups directed by Luis Carlos Ochoa (Minison, Soneritos, and Ardillitas). She has been part of various all-female groups, including Chicas Madera and Orquesta Canela, where she served as lead singer for fifteen (15) years. Currently, she is a cultural ambassador for the Valle del Cauca government through the "Escuelas Culturales Vallecaucanas" program, which promotes the cultural rights of citizens in different towns and cities throughout the Valle del Cauca region by organizing artistic and musical exhibitions. She has also been the lead singer of Las Guaracheras since December 2022.

Daniela Vergara

Daniela Vergara is an electric bass, double bass and baby bass player, a graduate of the Antonio María Valencia Conservatory in the city of Cali, Colombia, where she obtained the title of Master in Double Bass.

Throughout her career, she has participated in important national and international music festivals; internationally, she has been part of numerous tours. A highlight was her participation in the tour of Mexico with Las Guaracheras, where she represented the city of Cali through the La Caleña Sound System collective in 2022. In 2023, she continued her international journey, traveling again to Mexico to promote the album "Lo que somos," followed by Canada to participate in the Sunfest festival, and finally a tour of the United States in 2024 with more than 30 dates, also with Las Guaracheras.

She participated in the recording of the Fortissimas project at ICESI University, collaborating on the recording of the works "No tienes memoria" and "Azucarero" by María Isabel Mejía, as well as "Pájaro yo" by Carolina Calvache. She has also participated in recordings for artists such as Alexis Play, Junior Zamora, and Maréh.

He has been part of the discography of Las Guaracheras, recording the bass on the EPs “Acércate y mírame” (2020) “Seis Pal' Mundo” (2021), and the album “Lo que somos” (2023).

She is currently part of two key groups: Curao, a project in which she composes, explores new genres and musical fusions, and Las Guaracheras, in which she works as a bassist, backing vocalist, composer and arranger.

May Riascos

Mayra Riascos is a Colombian percussionist.She studied music at the Municipal School of Art in the city of Palmira and has developed her skills and talents alongside leading figures in Colombian music and percussion.She has participated in recordings and concerts with national and international artists such as: José Aguirre, Daymé Arocena, Son Mujeres, Espiral7, Mónica Gallego, Timbiáfrica, Ariacne Trujillo, Choco Orta, and Rey Ruiz.She has also participated in live sessions for Centro 312 (ICESI University), Sony Music, and Spotify.Currently, she is a percussionist and backing vocalist in the musical group Las Guaracheras.

Kate Ortega

Kate Ortega is a vibraphonist, percussionist and teacher from Cali, Colombia.

She completed her musical studies at the University of Valle and pursued advanced studies in jazz vibraphone at the Manuel de Falla Conservatory in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She participated in the recording of the album Alegría by Argentine saxophonist Yamile Burich, which was nominated for Best Jazz Album at the 2020 Gardel Awards. She is currently a member of Tamborimba, a percussion group from the city of Cali, and of the duo Con Alma Dueto with pianist Santiago Melo, where she is exploring musical composition. She is also the vibraphonist for the group Las Guaracheras.

Laura Linares

Master of Music with an emphasis in sound engineering, graduated from the Pontifical Javeriana University, Bogotá (2010-2016). She began her musical studies at a young age with private teachers specializing in percussion. Currently, she works as a professional, independent percussionist with various national and international groups, performing in countries such as Mexico, the United States, Cuba, France, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Canada, and Spain. She has over fifteen (15) years of experience in the music industry as a percussionist and leader of several percussion ensembles in the city. Today, she leads the musical project Las Guaracheras, where she is the director and conga player.