For almost a year, students have been feeling the rhythm and getting into the groove of one of the hottest acts on campus: Orquestra Fiebre. In short, Fiebre is a salsa band. But on a greater level, as an Afro-Cuban orchestra, Fiebre has expanded the band scene at Wesleyan and continues to grow in popularity and experience.
Playing songs ranging in style from timba (Cuban pop or hip-hop) to rumba, a more traditional percussion sound, Fiebre formed under the leadership of percussionist Justin Martinez ’05 last fall in preparation for Expresiones de Latinos, a celebratory performance which was part of Latino Awareness Month.
For those unfamiliar with the orchestration of a salsa band, the Fiebre group includes four horns, three percussionists, two singers, a violin and a rhythm section.
After its success at Expresiones, Fiebre finished off the fall semester with a performance at Eclectic and then said goodbye to Martinez as he left for a semester abroad in Puerto Rico. After winter break, the remaining members returned ready to play and began learning songs by ear off of a CD Martinez had left for them. After opening for other bands on campus, Fiebre has prepared to perform a full set of songs and a solo show of its own.
“It was the biggest thing to ever hit us,” said Rene Wachner-Solomon ’07, timbalero and group manager. “It was going to be a challenge, but people were down.”
As it tried to quickly form a whole new band last fall, Fiebre found itself troubled and disorganized. Members had to spend months just to learn a new song. After a semester of playing together with a goal in mind, however, Fiebre began learning up to two songs a week and compiling a full set of eight songs in time for its spring performance under the stars on Sat., April 24.
“It was a crazy, phat show,” Wachner-Solomon said. “We got risers, stage lights and a PA system so it was like Countess/3 but a lot better and a lot shorter. It was as much of a climax as we could have hoped for.”
“The concert we played at the Campus Center was a great way to end the year and I think we all felt really happy with how it turned out,” said bass player Dave Cordes ’07. “We had an awesome crowd, everyone dancing and having a great time.”
Fiebre could not practice as a group over the summer since its members were not in the same place, but its promising performance at MoCon during Orientation Week assures great performances in the near future. All the members had just arrived on campus that day, with Martinez making a surprise appearance only 10 minutes before the show.
“We practiced so much last year that [the songs] were ingrained in our musical memory; we remembered the hits and the breaks,” Wachner-Solomon said. “It felt so good to be back together. Everyone had been thinking about it all summer, I know I had. It felt good.”
With a new set and a new singer in Delilah Lora ’05, who replaced Michelle Ruida ’04, Fiebre continues to move forward this semester. With better group dynamics and overall individual improvements in playing, Fiebre has begun learning more complex songs.
“The best part about the band is that we are learning and working together as a group and a family,” Cordes said. “We all have different musical backgrounds and all of us have been able to come together to create a unique group.”
In addition, Fiebre has begun collaborating with Marc Arena ’07, a guest rapper and emcee, to put together more timba music. As it prepares to play at this year’s Expresiones, Fiebre is getting ready to play next Thursday at the Delfos Salsa Party through the Center for the Arts.
Prior to Fiebre, Martinez had played in a less formal rumba group with Luis Miguel Henao ’04, who now works at ITS and continues to sing for Fiebre along with Lora. “When all thirteen of us bring energy to a rehearsal or performance, it’s a feeling of exhilaration that nothing can replace,” said trombonist Sarah Suzuki ’07. “The size and varying levels of musical experience and aspirations distinguishes Fiebre from other campus bands.”
The horn section consists of Galen Sjostrom ’05 and Jon Shestakofsky ’05 on sax, Suzuki on the trombone and Chris Brown ’04 on the trumpet. Martinez, Wachner-Solomon and Owen Roberts ’07 form the percussion section, which includes a drum set, timbales, congas and bongos. Marc Anderson ’07 on violin, Cordes on bass and Joaquin Cotler ’05 on piano round out Fiebre. With Cotler graduating this semester, Rob Cohen ’06 is prepared to fill his shoes.
Although there are a handful of seniors graduating, Wachner-Solomon is sure that the solid block of sophomores in the group will be around.
“So, who knows what’s next?” he said.
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