Rhythm sectionPiano, bass and percussion
For hotel shows, clubs and short-format performances.
- Piano and bass
- Congas, timbales and bongos
- Your set, learned and rehearsed
Backing band in Cartagena and Colombia's Caribbean coast You bring the voice. We bring the band.
For artists, managers and promoters playing Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta or anywhere on Colombia's Caribbean coast without their band. Leo Timbal builds and leads your band, learns your set and gets whatever your show needs.
14International artists backed
12Years on stage · since 2014
14Professional musicians
5.0★Google rating
They have shared the stage with
Artists we have backed
Salsa, merengue and ballad artists who came to the coast without their band and took the stage with Zona Híbrida. Tap a video to watch it right here.
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★
How we work with your team
How we put your show together
Send us your show
Set list, keys and reference recordings. Sheet music, backing tracks or sequences too, if you have them.
Leo builds the band
He picks the format and musicians for your repertoire and the stage.
Learning and rehearsal
The band learns your songs and rehearses with you or your musical director before the show.
Sound check and show
We arrive on time, sound-check according to the rider and take the stage with you.
Whatever your show needs
If your performance calls for an extra instrument, musician or backing vocalist, Leo gets it. You focus on singing; we take care of the music.
“You bring the voice; we'll be waiting with a band that's rehearsed, on time and full of Caribbean flavor. You just step up and sing, and we've got the rest.”
A band built for your show
Backing band formats
From a rhythm section to a full orchestra with horns and backing vocals. Leo recommends the format for your repertoire, the stage and the event budget.
With hornsRhythm section + horns
The full salsa sound for most live shows.
- Full rhythm section
- Trumpets, trombone or sax
- Arrangements of your set
Full orchestraHorns, backing vocals, the whole show
For concerts, festivals and big stages.
- Full horn section
- Backing vocals
- Whatever your show needs
Genres
Genres we play
Salsa, merengue and Caribbean tropical music, always in each artist's own set and keys.
SalsaSalsa románticaSalsa duraMerengueBoleroCuban sonBachataBalladCumbiaPorroLatin tropical
Where we play
Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta and beyond
The band is based in Cartagena and travels with you to any city on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
CartagenaBarranquillaSanta MartaMonteríaSincelejoAnd the whole Caribbean coast
For shows outside Cartagena, the band's transportation is added to the quote.
Questions from artists and managers
Frequently asked questions
Set list and rehearsals
How far in advance do you need the set list?
As soon as your date is confirmed. The more time the band has to learn the songs, the better the show.
How many rehearsals do you do with the artist?
As many as the show needs. The band learns your set and rehearses with you or your musical director before the performance.
Do you learn the songs from recordings or do you need sheet music?
We work with whatever you have: sheet music, original recordings, reference audio and the keys you sing in.
Can the artist's musical director come along?
Yes. Leo works hand in hand with your musical director so the show sounds the way you know it.
Do you play with backing tracks or sequences?
Yes. If your show uses backing tracks or sequences, the band plays along with them.
What if my show needs an instrument that isn't in the format?
Leo gets it. If your performance calls for an extra instrument, musician or backing vocalist, we add it to the band.
Logistics and booking
Do you travel to other cities on the coast?
Yes: Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Montería, Sincelejo and the whole Caribbean coast. Outside Cartagena, the band's transportation is added.
Is the sound system included?
No. Sound is provided by the event production. We send you our technical rider with the sound, monitor and stage requirements. Download the technical rider (PDF)
Who books the band?
The artist, their manager or the event promoter can book us. A 50% deposit holds the date and the other 50% is paid before the show.
Which genres do you play?
Salsa, merengue, bolero, Cuban son, bachata, ballads and Latin tropical music, in each artist's own set and keys.
Do you work in English?
Our team works in Spanish. Your local promoter or a Spanish-speaking contact can reach us for you, or use the quote form on this page: it writes your WhatsApp message in Spanish, ready to send.
Technical rider for your production
In Spanish: sound and monitor requirements, input list, stage plot and dressing room.
Quote
Quote your backing band
Tell us about the show and this form writes your WhatsApp message in Spanish, ready to send. Leo replies to you directly.
- Direct reply from Leo, the bandleader
- Your set learned and rehearsed
- Cartagena and the whole Caribbean coast