Local Bay Area musicians playing traditional Latin genres with an emphasis on Cuban music: salsa, son, timba, bachata y más.

Salsabrosos, formed in 2023, are a dynamic group of local Bay Area musicians specializing in traditional Latin genres, including salsa, son, timba, charanga and occasionally bachata and boleros. Their music is loud, lively and upbeat, featuring both classic and original arrangements. Known for their vibrant performances, the Salsabrosos provide an unforgettable live salsa experience for everyone, from seasoned dancers to casual listeners. In addition to performing at various venues, they offer an educational performance called “Salsa and Storytelling,” which highlights the rich history and drama behind salsa music.

Alice Schmitz is a bass player from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up playing classical guitar and double bass and studied double bass performance at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance before shifting to a career in economics and public policy. Alice is currently pursuing graduate work in economics at the University of California, Berkeley while playing bass guitar in salsa and jazz ensembles.

Alonso Marco Valle is a Cuban Tres player who recently fell in love with the instrument, transferring his guitar skills to it. He is passionate about music composition and learning more about salsa music. In his free time, he works as a robotics research engineer.

Daniel Leong is an Asian-American saxophonist from the Pacific Northwest who has been playing music since age five. He has performed in jazz big bands, funk cover bands, and a rap/hip-hop group. Trained in jazz and classical music, he fell in love with salsa in college. Daniel is currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Karl Dray is a jazz-trained trombonist with a passion for salsa, having played in various Bay Area bands since moving from Seattle in 2012. Formerly a software engineer, he imagines himself as an absent-minded math professor in an alternate reality.

Kirsten Isabel Verster is the lead vocalist and storyteller of Salsabrosos. A “Miami Cuban,” she moved to California for graduate studies in genetics and became active in the Bay Area salsa scene. After eight years of dancing locally, she began teaching and joined a salsa band. Her passion project, “Salsa & Storytelling,” combines her love of history, analysis, and music. Kirsten also lectures at Stanford in her free time.

Sergio Cabada is a multi-instrumentalist from Solano County, California, currently playing piano for Salsabrosos. He earned music degrees from UC Berkeley and Napa Valley College. In addition to performing with Salsabrosos, Sergio serves as a percussionist for the UC Berkeley Summer Symphony, mariachi instructor at Willis Jepson Middle School, Music Director and Organist at Grace Episcopal Church, and a freelance piano tuner.

Skye Ocaranza is a graphic designer by day and musician by night, has a deep passion for salsa music and Latin drumming. He began playing conga drums at age 10 and joined live salsa bands during his final semester at San Jose State University in 2022. Outside of music, Skye enjoys sketchbooking in nature, studying prehistoric life, and exploring animal taxonomy.

Connect: 

Salsabrosos - Website | Salsabrosos - Instagram