Las Cantantes

Cristela was born in Panama, in Santiago de Veraguas nicknamed “el Pueblo de los Poetas.” From a young age, she loved singing, dancing, and acting. This led her to study Radio and Television and take theater classes. Although she didn’t study singing, music runs in her veins. She was always surrounded by music thanks to her mother, who introduced her to artists like Leonardo Favio, José José, and other representatives of romantic music. 

In her post-adolescence, she belonged to a youth group as a singer and chorist, where many of the members were part of the jazz and salsa music scene in Panama. She was part of a salsa and merengue music project in her 20s in Panama’s capital.

Cristela joined Yambambo and gave the group a new aesthetic from her first performance, pouring love and dedication into everything she does. 

Along with Desiree and Grecia, Cristela completes this powerful trio of women, with her voice and talent, which enriches Yambambo.

Desiree began singing at an early age, performing songs from the Wizard of Oz for her family in the living room of their inner-city apartment in sunny, spicy San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a teenager and young adult she sang with Puerto Rican punk rock staples Juventud Crasa (Crass Youth, in Spanish), touring Eastern Europe and Japan with them in the late 2000’s. After moving to Seattle, she joined up with future Yambambo bassist Court Crawford in the Latin Jazz project La Casita and started the Bolero band Desamor. 

In 2022, she got back with Juventud Crasa to record the song Tu Serás Mi Bebe for the DC/Warner Brothers film Blue Beetle, which features them performing the song live for a private party. 

Nowadays, she sings alongside Cristela Gonzalez and Grecia Rodriguez, fronting the salsa powerhouse that is currently taking over the PNW.

Grecia Rodriguez is a multifaceted artist who began her musical journey at the age of 14, performing alongside her family in their group Perukallpa (musica andina, criollo, festejo, etc.) 

Her participation in choir ensembles in her youth with a focus on jazz, madrigal, and traditional choral music have shaped her into a versatile and accomplished performer. In addition to her work as a performer she does work directing a choir and as a voice over artist.

Grecia’s current role as one of the three lead vocalists highlights her ability to blend her voice with diverse musical genres, bringing energy and emotion to every performance.