Samuel Formell Alonso

Outstanding Cuban percussionist and musical director of the popular and internationally known Orchestra Los Van Van. A true Vanvanero. Grammy Award 1999.

Samuel Formell is a great Cuban percussionist of our time. Director of Los Van Van since 2004, he is the son of the renowned Cuban musician and composer Juan Formell. He has taken on the difficult task of ensuring that the group continues along the same path that its founders had forged more than thirty years ago, to remain the same with their unmistakable sound.

"First, it is a great satisfaction and pride; at the same time it is tremendous responsibility because it is one of the most recognized orchestras in the history of Cuban music. Directing it after my father is a profound feeling, a challenge. When I had that responsibility in front of me, I assumed it and little by little I stopped feeling pressure; I have listened to Van Van for so long that it was like being in family.

He studied at the National School of Art and had experiences with other groups. At first, he tried to continue what Changuito did. Changuito was not his direct teacher but it was not necessary because the history of Los Van Van began when he was already 3 years old and he grew up in that, he saw the rehearsals and grew to like percussion until he started studying it at school. Replacing master Changuito has been one of the strongest responsibilities for him.

I learned the original concept of the orchestra, and I proposed adding contemporary influences to the percussion. It has not been easy, I assume complexities inherent to the group. For example: I fulfill the function of the bongos player, that of the timpani player. I carry a polyrhythm, which requires skill, fluidity, physical effort. This is only achieved by studying several hours daily.
Samuel.

Samuel's Confessions
His influences in percussion: many jazz drummers, Brazilian percussionists, Cuban musicians like Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Clave y Guaguancó.
Satisfactions: living in his home a phenomenon of wide repercussion for Cuban culture.
His favorite song as a child: La Candela...
Things he enjoys: sitting at the piano, communicating through this instrument to imagine texts and arrangements.
His main instruments: the timpani and the drums.
A required mastery: the clave.
For him what is Los Van Van: transformative magic.

On Cuban percussion in our time, the virtuoso musician reflects:
Percussion is very emotional, one can make a break when a singer improvises and affect the stability of the rhythm, of the orchestral ensemble. Each detail has an impact on the sound result, the melodic result. The güiro is an essential instrument. Nobody plays it like Julio Noroña, founder of Los Van Van. Due to personal problems he did not participate during an intense tour of the United States, and nobody could take his place. On the other hand, it is not enough to have talent, to demonstrate professionalism, experience in larger formats, perhaps more complex ones. You have to master the clave.

Discography
"Hay dios ampárame". Los Van-Van (1995).

"La cabeza mala". Los Van-Van (1996).

"Llego Van-Van". Los Van-Van (1999).

"DVD, live concert in Miami". Los Van-Van (1999).

"Malecón live". Los Van-Van (2002).

"Chapeando". Los Van-Van (2004).

"DVD, live at the Karl Marx Theater". Los Van-Van (2006).

"Arrasando". Los Van-Van (2009).

"Proyecto Luna" Solo. (2009).

"Visa". Album of guest musicians (2007).

"El negrito bailador". Mario Rivera (2009).


Events and Festivals
- Play Boy Jazz Festival of Hollywood, on two occasions.

- Monterrey Festival.

- North Sea Jazz Festival.

- Tokyo Jazz Festival.

- Montreux Jazz Festival.

- Montreal Jazz Festival.

- Lugano Jazz Festival.

- Munich Jazz Festival.

Other venues where he has performed:

- Opera House Theater of Australia.

- Lincoln Center.

- Manhattan Center.

Awards and Recognition
Grammy Award 1999.
2017 Distinction for National Culture.