Founded by Latin and Guyanese trombone player Giany-Frantz Huyghues-Despointes, Lengaïa Salsa Brava is a powerful 12-piece orchestra based in Montreal, Canada. Lengaïa’s unique sound derives from its ambitious orchestral format which boasts harmonies by three trombones and a baritone saxophone combined with distinctive vocals.
Like its birthplace, Montreal, Lengaïa is deeply multicultural, with members drawing on musical and cultural roots in French Guiana, Colombia, Peru, Quebec, Spain, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. The orchestra has accompanied such international salsa artists as Yoko Mimata, Ismael Rivera Jr., and Fania All Stars singer, Ismael Miranda as well as ongoing collaborations with trombonist Jimmy Bosch who appears as a special guest on the group’s second full length Album, The Gold Diggers.
Winner of the Canada Latin Awards in the “Salsa Group of the Year” category for two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018, and 2019 in the category “Best Tropical song” Lengaïa has performed at the Lulaworld Festival at Lula Lounge, Toronto Salsa Festival, Montreal’s Nuit Blanche, Gatineau Karamel Festival, Fiesta Olympica at the Olympic Park, Colombia Festival, and completed its first international tour in Colombia in September 2019.