Domingo Siete

Written by Hilda Gabriela Friday, 14 December 2007 07:55

Who would have known that in the twentieth century, a “domingo siete” would actually be a good thing? Directly from the heart of East Los Angeles, the band Domingo Siete encompasses centuries of traditional worldly sounds.

With influences from various cultures such as Mexican, Colombian and Cuban, the band has captured audiences in places where the influence of these cultures was previously zero to none.

Influenced profoundly by African rhythms and son cubano, Domingo Siete’s music takes its fans to a period long ago where natural sounds echoing from congas and bongos went hand in hand with exotic beachside fiestas.
The concept of Domingo Siete arose in 1999 as a means of musical exploration and expression. Composed by Jacob Hernandez on percussion and vocals, Gabriel Tenorio on guitar and vocals, Enrique “Quique” Roman on drums and vocals,
Carlos Dominguez on bass/charangoa, Elliott Baribeault on piano, James King on flute and sax, Andres Renteria on percussion, Kiko Cornejo on congas,  and Michael Bolger on trumpet and keyboard, the band has united generations and has influenced musical genre gaps through their music.

With fans ranging in age from late teens to a mature audience, Domingo Siete has created a fan base stretching from the United States to Russia and to Europe. They’ve toured in various European cities where they have been welcomed by hundreds of fans in more than 5 headlining concerts. In early 2007, the band showcased at the SXSW World Stage and followed with yet another European tour beginning in the northern cities of Italy.

Domingo Siete’s debut was under the Basiclabs indie label with the release of “De Los Angeles”
in 2002 and was followed with the release of “Quitate La Mascara” which was released in Germany in the summer of 2005.

In 2006 while on tour in Italy, the band was invited to collaborate on Vinicio Capossela’s  release titled “Ovunque Proteggi” where they recorded a danzon cha cha cha stilo. They were also featured in the two disc compilation “Latin Garden 2”along with Amigos Invisibles and other Latin musicians. Adding to their numerous collaborations, DomingoSiete contributed with two songs in the “How the Garcia Girls spent Their Summer” film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005 and contributed a track for the new Larry Clark film, “Wassup Rockers”.

Sharing the stage with artists such as Los Lobos, Sheryl Crow and Ozomatli and having appeared on PBS, LATV, Telemundo, and on the National Public Radio, the band has remained fully grounded to their urban beginnings. They’ve managed to contribute to Los Angeles area community events in which music and freedom of expression serve as themes to motivate the youth in underprivileged communities. As part of the 4th Annual Latin Alternative Music Convention (“LAMC”) and The Avenue 50 Studio event, “Oiga”, Domingo Siete shared the stage with local L.A. band “East L.A. Sabor Factory” to help present an art exhibit inspired by work from emerging visual artists.

The band is currently recording a new studio album and will soon be releasing a live album which was recorded on their last European tour. Domingo Siete plans on further expanding their music and infecting fans throughout the world for many years to come.

Hilda Gabriela
		About the author:
		recently discovered mustard and onion terrified of midgets hootchie mama for Obama! loves to dance with rich old men orphan writer and video producer for AB