Orquesta La Cura is all about salsa, a form that has been passed down through generations of performers. Co-founder Ernie Becquer says the band feels a responsibility to the tradition. "We're not so much in it for the money. We're in it to keep the heritage alive. Latin salsa is our roots. It's our music. We don't even call it salsa. We call it nuestra musica." Meaning, our music.
Becquer is a conguero, meaning a percussionist whose specialty is in the playing of those big cigar-shaped hand drums called congas. He says the band takes its cues to extend a salsa jam from the dancers themselves. "Our music has a lot of energy, and with our caliber of musicians, you connect with the audience and a whole other thing takes over. Afincando," he says, which translates to the word 'tight.' But the deeper implication is that both band and dancers have locked into a groove.
"Salsa is regimented. It's going like a machine. It's intended for people to dance."