Sextet6-piece band
For dinners, ceremonies and intimate celebrations that want real live music.
- Salsa and Latin tropical music
- Quick setup
- Ideal for smaller venues
Wedding band in Cartagena, Colombia The Cartagena band that gets your guests dancing!
Live salsa, merengue and Latin tropical music for your destination wedding or party in Cartagena and beyond. Sextet, octet or a full 12-piece orchestra, with all the flavor and swing of a real live show.
5.0★Google rating
12Years on stage · since 2014
14Professional musicians
255-star reviews
10,847Social media followers
They have shared the stage with
Backing band for touring artists
Many artists come to Cartagena, or anywhere in Colombia, without their band. Leo puts together and leads the band that backs them on stage, playing each artist's own set.
WithDavid ZahanReviviendo a Frankie Ruiz▶ 1,730 views
WithMicky TaverasDiscoteca RD, Cartagena▶ 1,646 views
WithMichel El BuenónSanta Marta▶ Watch video
WithDanny DanielLive sound▶ Watch video
Backing band for your show →
For artists, managers and promoters in Cartagena and Colombia's Caribbean coast.
International
Gilberto Santa Rosa★Wilfrido Vargas★Maelo Ruiz★Tony Vega★Henry Fiol★Mickey Taveras★Michel El Buenón★David Zahan★David Pabón★Bazil Alexander★Gabino Pampini★Wilson Saoco★Jair Romero★Carlos Nuño y La Grande de Madrid★
Colombian
Danny Daniel★Estrellas de Niche★Los Alfa 8★Michi Sarmiento★Luifer de la Salsa★Orquesta Barbacoa★Inéditos de Colombia★Armonía Caribe★Hijos del Sol★Kalamary Big Band★Cartagena Big Band★Orquesta de Javier Barrera★
Founder and bandleader
Leo Timbal, the timbales that set the beat
Leobaldo Martínez, “Leo Timbal”, founded Zona Híbrida on January 18, 2014. He holds a music degree from UNIBAC, is a percussionist and the composer of “Dulce corazón” and “Cartagena es”, the winning song of the IPCC's 2020 call. From behind the timbales he builds every show and takes care of every detail with you.
Founder and bandleader
Music degree · UNIBAC
Timbales player
Composer
IPCC 2020 winner
The Zona Híbrida family
Meet the musicians
Musicians from Cartagena who dress for the occasion: black tie, all black or Caribbean style, depending on your event.
Choose the size of your band
Band formats for your wedding or event
The same flavor in every format. Each performance is one 90-minute set, or two 45-minute sets. Tell us your date and we'll put together your proposal.
Octet8-piece band
The perfect balance of power and size. Our star format for weddings.
- Piano, bass, tenor sax and trumpet
- Two lead vocals
- Congas, drums and timbales
Full orchestra12 musicians on stage
The big show, with 12 musicians, for parties, corporate events and stages that call for more.
- Full horn section
- Two lead vocals and harmonies
- Full percussion
Weddings · quinceañeras · corporate events
Live music for every celebration
Destination weddings
From the first dance to the last song, a packed dance floor.
Corporate and year-end parties
Holiday parties, launches and company celebrations.
Live hora loca
The Colombian “crazy hour”: the night's peak, played live.
Concerts
Stage, show and a crowd singing every song.
Backing band for artists
Leo builds and leads the band for artists who arrive without theirs.
Quinceañeras
The big 15th birthday party, with a live band and hora loca.
Gallery
What a show feels like
Real weddings, stages and parties. Tap a photo to see it full size.
A repertoire made for dancing
Salsa band with its own style
For weddings, quinceañeras and corporate events, our own repertoire. When backing an artist, that artist's songs.
SalsaMerenguePorroCumbiaMerecumbéBachataCuban sonBoleroTropipopChampetaReggaetonUrban
Tribute show
Reviviendo a Frankie Ruiz
- Quiero llenarte
- Deseándote
- Tú con él
- Mi libertad
- Lo dudo
- Desnúdate mujer
Original music
Zona Híbrida singles
- No volveré 2026 single
- Cartagena es! Written by Leobaldo Martínez · IPCC 2020 winner
- Dulce corazón Written by Leobaldo Martínez
- Mi locura de amor Written by Gerardo Varela
- Mi vida sin ti Cover · Jesús Adrián Romero
Award-winning song
“Cartagena es”, by Leobaldo Martínez, won the IPCC's “Rompiendo las cadenas: una canción a Cartagena” call (2020).
See them in action
Live band videos
54 live videos on their channel: shows, artist collaborations and the Frankie Ruiz tribute.
Visit the YouTube channelYou enjoy. We play.
How to book your band
Ask for a quote
Send us your date, venue and type of event on WhatsApp.
Get your proposal
We recommend the ideal format for your party.
Book
With the deposit, your date is held.
Let's dance!
We arrive on time, set up and sound-check before we start.
Before you book a band
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and booking
How much does a wedding band cost in Cartagena, Colombia?
It depends on the format (6, 8 or 12 musicians), the date, the venue and how much live music you want. That's why every wedding gets its own quote: send us your date, venue and number of guests on WhatsApp and we'll reply with the format that fits best. The price covers the band on stage: sound equipment is not included and transportation is added for events outside Cartagena.
How far in advance should we book the band?
As early as you can. Your date is only held once the deposit is paid, and December and high-season weekends fill up first. If your wedding falls on those dates, write to us as soon as you have it.
Can we book from abroad if we don't speak Spanish?
Yes. Many couples book their band before they travel to Cartagena. Our team works in Spanish, so your wedding planner can contact us for you, or simply use the quote form on this page: it writes your WhatsApp message in Spanish, ready to send.
How do we reserve our date?
With a 50% deposit when the contract is signed. The other 50% is paid before the band goes on stage.
The performance
How long does the band play at a wedding?
Each performance is one 90-minute set, or two 45-minute sets. With two sets you get live music at two moments of the night, for example after the first dance and during the hora loca.
How many musicians are in the band?
It depends on the format: sextet (6 musicians), octet (8) or full orchestra (12). The octet and the full orchestra include horns, two lead vocals and percussion. In total, the Zona Híbrida family brings together 14 professional musicians from Cartagena, led by Leobaldo “Leo Timbal” Martínez.
Live band or DJ for our wedding?
You don't have to choose. The live band takes over the most energetic moment of the night and the DJ covers the rest of the party. If you already have a DJ, tell us and we'll suggest when the band should come in so the dance floor never cools down.
What music does the band play?
Salsa, merengue, porro, cumbia, merecumbé, bachata, Cuban son, bolero, tropipop, champeta, reggaeton and urban music. Plus original songs like “Cartagena es” and the tribute show “Reviviendo a Frankie Ruiz”.
What is the hora loca at a Colombian wedding?
The hora loca (“crazy hour”) is a Colombian wedding tradition: a burst of high-energy party time late in the night. Our band plays it live, with salsa, merengue, champeta and urban hits so nobody stays seated. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll plan it around your wedding.
Logistics and venue
Is the sound system included?
No. The price covers the band on stage; amplification is provided by the event's sound company. We send them our technical rider so they know exactly what to set up. Download the technical rider (PDF)
What does the band need at the venue?
Sound and stage according to the technical rider, plus a room or dressing area to change and stay hydrated before, during and after the show. The setup adapts to the format you book. Download the technical rider (PDF)
Do you play outside Cartagena?
Yes. Zona Híbrida plays in Cartagena and anywhere else; for events outside the city, transportation is added.
Do you also play quinceañeras and corporate events?
Yes: weddings, quinceañeras, year-end and corporate parties, concerts, and backing bands for artists who come to Cartagena without their band.
Can you back an artist who travels without a band?
Yes, it's what we do most. Leo puts together and leads the backing band, learns the artist's set and gets whatever the show needs. See the service for artists
For wedding planners, producers and sound engineers
Zona Híbrida technical rider (in Spanish): sound and monitor requirements, input list, stage plot and dressing room.
Quote
Hold your date today
Our team speaks Spanish, so this form writes your WhatsApp message in Spanish for you. December is high season: book your date early.
- Direct reply from the bandleader
- No commitment
- Weddings, quinceañeras, corporate events and parties in Cartagena and beyond