BAND BIOGRAPHY

Grupo Fantasma has been praised as one of the most important independent acts in the Latin genre and has continually defied expectations to create one of the most unique musical voices to come out of the United States in the 21st century. In 2008 they received their first Grammy Nomination for their album Sonidos Gold. In 2011, they garnered further acclaim by winning the Grammy for their self–produced release El Existential on Nat Geo Music, which the Wall Street Journal called “Latin music both new and traditional…vibrant fusions that transcend easy classification.”

The band stands out as a pioneer and an institution in their hometown Austin Musical Community with over a decade of consecutive Austin Music Award wins, resulting in 13 awards and induction into the Austin, Texas Music Hall of Fame. 

Their greatest accolades, however, are reserved for their storied stage performances. The band’s incendiary live show, declared by NPR as “seamless whenever and wherever they’re on stage” has brought them to major festivals and venues internationally including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, North Sea Jazz Festival (Curacao and Rotterdam), Lowlands in the Netherlands, The Kennedy Center, London’s O2 Arena, Montreal Jazz Festival, WOMEX, WOMAD, Tempo Latino (France) as well as two tours to Kuwait and Iraq to entertain US troops and a recent tour in Pakistan and Qatar. Their diverse spectrum of devoted fans speaks to the ensemble’s universal appeal beyond Latin or world music.

Over the years, they have also served as an in-demand backing band, collaborating over 3 years with the late, great, legendary Prince (ALMA Awards on ABC, Golden Globes, CBS Super Bowl Bash, 21 Nights in London) as well as Fania All–Stars pianist Larry Harlow, Sheila–E, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Maceo Parker, Ruben Ramos, cult–hero Daniel Johnston, Indie rock standouts Spoon, Los Lobos, The Pharcyde, Joe Bataan, and many others. 

In addition to twenty-plus years of touring the world, the band has appeared on the nationally syndicated PBS show Austin City Limits 3 times (2016, 2014, 2007), and their music has been featured in a variety of films and TV shows including Breaking Bad (AMC), Weeds (Showtime), Frankie & Grace (Netflix), Law & Order (NBC) as well as the John Sayles’ film Casa de los Babies.

Entering their 25th year, the group plans to spend 2024 writing and recording new material for a 25th-anniversary record to be released in 2025. This will be their 8th release, following 2019’s American Music Vol. 7, and will enlist the production expertise of Adrian Quesada, co-founder, former guitarist for the band, and one-half of the acclaimed Black Pumas. "After all these years, we still feel like we can deliver a potent record and showcase new music as only a band that's been together for 25 years can," says Beto Martinez, guitarist and co-founder. 

The ten-piece collective formed in 2000 in Austin, Texas consists of Jose Galeano (timbales, vocals), Kino Esparza (vocals, hand percussion), Beto Martinez (guitar), Greg Gonzalez (bass), John Speice (drums), Matthew “Sweet Lou” Holmes (congas), Gilbert Elorreaga (trumpet), Josh Levy (baritone saxophone), Dan Bechdolt (tenor saxophone) and Mark “Speedy” Gonzales (trombone).

FROM THE PRESS…

“Latin music both new and traditional…vibrant fusions that transcend easy classification” –Wall Street Journal

“Latin funk masters.” –USA Today

“A sound done so right that you have to hand the crown to this group.” –Huffington Post

“Seamless… whenever and wherever they’re on stage.” –NPR

“Tightly weaving Anglo, Afro and Latin musical genres, El Existential takes on an identity of its own. They blast off in their own funktified, genre–breaking directions.” –Billboard

“One of the sickest live bands ever” –Philadelphia Weekly

“Real musicians playing real music.” –Prince

“An orgy of creative musicianship” –San Francisco Weekly

“Fantasma is honing a decidedly 21st–century version of Latin groove.” –Boston Globe

“It’s a fresh, energetic set” –The Guardian (UK)

“One of the decade’s most important artists in the Latin genre.” –All Music Guide

“They’ll knock you down with the grooves.” –The Village Voice

“The ten members of Grupo Fantasma represent a new generation in Latin music.” –Washington Post

“Listening to Grupo Fantasma is like watching the Iron Chef at work; they create a sprawling feast for the ears.” –Boston Phoenix

“Grupo Fantasma was as tight as one would expect from a band that routinely backs up Prince” –LA Weekly

“Famous for their incendiary live shows.” –Toronto Sun

“The most adventurous pan–cultural Latin band.” –San Antonio Current