Eduardo "Chaka" Nápoles

This tour featured two keyboardists: the rock solid, R&B influenced Orlando Guanche and the legendary Eduardo "Chaka" Nápoles. It's impossible to even hear the name Chaka without immediately remembering the best parts of nearly every Manolín arrangement, when the bass starts to pedal, the crowd starts to menéase, and Manolín euphorically cries out "CHAKA!!!" to introduce one of his many unique and imaginative piano tumbaos. Compositional piano grooves are the lifeblood of Timba and Chaka is one of the greatest at creating them. Chaka, the leader of his own group, El Tumbao, was originally enlisted for the tour because of his decade of experience with Manolín, but I'm strongly hoping that he sticks around and adds his inimitable stamp to more new CTA songs.

Orlando Guanche