The Joyful Jams and Flute-Driven Diversity of Grupo Cha Cha

Sometimes, the Latin music scene can feel like a man’s world. This hasn’t stymied Grupo Cha Cha, led by classically trained, jazz-loving flute and sax player Lise Gilly. Uniting a diverse crew from all different musical backgrounds, Gilly and her group have defined their own sound by celebrating their own, wide-ranging approach to Latin roots and jazz.

“Our sound is a bit different from your typical Latin band. There’s definitely a female touch, as half the band are female musicians and four out of ten songs on the album are written by women” Gilly reflects. “The scene that gave birth to the New York sound, say, is almost all men, with the exception being a handful of truly inspirational female flutists who’ve played with bandleaders like Eddie Palmieri.”

With Grupo Cha Cha, Gilly has carried on the great tradition of Latin flute, bringing together a wonderfully diverse, elegantly tight band and proving that, indeed, This is the Life (release date: June 21, 2013). Numbers move from flute-driven forms like Cuban charanga to Brazilian samba (“This is the Life”) and choro (“Minorian”) to hot salsa (“Vamos a la playa”), with thoughtfully chosen standards (“Haresah,” “Peruchin”) and lively originals (“Danzon para Pedro,” inspired by Tchaikovs-ky), all ending with an energetic merengue (“Elegua”). Regardless of the form, Grupo Cha Cha knows how to sink their teeth into Latin music’s pensive and hip-swaying sides with equal energy.

A French dual citizen, Gilly has made a name for herself as a classical player, founding her own chamber ensembles and playing with regional symphonies. She has also dedicated herself to musical education as the Performing Arts Department Chair of one of the most highly ranked music programs in Illinois at Lincoln Park High School.

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