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Named after the patron saint of musicians, La Santa Cecilia exemplifies the creative ferment of 21st century Latin music, with a beguiling mélange of cumbia, bossa nova, tango, jazz, boleros and alt-rock. Led by charismatic vocalist La Marisoul, the Los Angeles combo is the perfect band to kick off the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival with a thumping dance party. Featuring José “Pepe” Carlos on accordion and requinto, bassist Alex Bendaña, and percussionist Miguel “Oso” Ramírez, La Santa Cecilia’s singular sound is both utterly contemporary and inextricably tied to the musicians’ Mexican heritage and love of Latin American culture. A phenomenon since their Latin Grammy-nominated 2011 debut album Noche y Citas, the band has released a series of brilliant recordings, including Treinta Días, which won the 2014 Grammy for “best Latin rock album, alternative or urban.” On the band’s most recent album, 2021’s Quiero Verte Feliz, the title track features a one-two punch of Colombian superstar Juanes on guitar and Oaxacan-American Lila Downs joining La Marisoul on vocals. Saints and sinners, musicians and music-lovers will all be jumping in the Gardens to the delectable grooves of La Santa Cecilia. 

In a perfect pairing of acts, the Bay Area’s own La Doña gets the party started with an opening set. The vocalist, trumpeter, songwriter and pioneer of the sensuous, hard-hitting femeton sound, has earned international renown with her alluring blend of reggaeton, rancheras and cumbias. La Marisol and La Doña on the same stage?! ¡Madre mía!

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