Tiempo Libre

Although group could be Miami-based, the members of timba band Tiempo Libre are Cuban-born, -bred, and -inspired. Founded in 2001 by pianist Jorge Gomez as the initial genuine Cuban timba music group in the U.S., the ensemble self-released their debut record, Timbiando, an array of addresses recorded within a friend’s garage area, in 2004. In 2005 the music group agreed upon to Shanachie Entertainment, issuing Arroz con Mango (which in Cuban slang means “something totally unusual”) the same yr. In 2006, with vocalist Joaquin Diaz on vocals, Tebelio Fonte on bass, Pavel Diaz on trumpet, Luis Beltran Castillo on sax and flute, Leandro Gonzalez on congas, and Angel Arce on drums, Tiempo Libre released their third recording, What You’ve Been Waiting around For/Lo Que Esperabas.