Conjunto Progreso

Conjunto Progreso was founded in April 1998, and ever since it has become known as one of the hardest working bands in Miami and Southern Florida. The ensemble revives the sound of the traditional Cuban son and also performs Afro-Cuban jazz and Descargas. While Conjunto Progreso looks back nostalgically to the prime of Cuban popular music, it also looks ahead, performing Cuban standards in fresh new ways. Co-founded by its leader Johnny Aguilo and Jose Elias, the group has grown from a quartet into a nonet. Many guest artists have worked with Conjunto Progreso through the years including Aguilo’s father, trumpeter Rolando “El Ruso” Auguilo, conguero Luis Miranda, bassist Eddie Rivera, trumpeter Feliciano Gomez and conguero Lazaro Alfonso, among others. Filled with musicians who not only have experience playing in major orchestras in Cuba but in other salsa and charanga bands in New York and South Florida, Conjunto Progreso released their debut recording, Masters of Cuban Son, in 2004, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2006 for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album.. Called “The Buena Vista Social Club of America,” Conjunto Progreso consists of Johnny Aguilo as lead vocalist and on maracas, Roland Perez on vocals and claves, Jose Elias on guitar and tres, bassist-vocalist Miguel Gomez, Adialberto Perez on congas, Edel Perez on bongos, trumpeter Juan Marquez, pianist Michel Fragoso and Jose “Pepe” Cabral on guiro and vocals. Conjunto Progreso is always a crowd pleaser that will get audiences enthusiastically dancing.