Mónica Castro, a founding member of the iconic 90s group Son de Azúcar, returned to her roots in 2018 to launch "Son Mujeres Orquesta." The project, born from a shared passion and deep ties to her musical education, has since earned both national and international acclaim. Debuting at Cali's Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theater, the all-female ensemble presented their show "Salsa en Cuerpo de Mujer." The performance is more than just music; it is a powerful cultural statement that tells the history of salsa exclusively through the female experience. From the African roots of the genre to its explosion in 1970s New York, the show is a vibrant celebration of female resilience and talent through music, dance, and theater.
With extensive musical experience from a young age, she co-founded the orchestra SON DE AZÚCAR and also founded and was a member of the TAMBORIMBA ensemble. Both projects have received acclaim both nationally and internationally. She previously served as the director of the Music Program at the University of Valle and remains affiliated with the institution as a Percussion professor.
"Son Mujeres Orquesta" stood out at events like the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos in Cauca, shared the stage at La Obra Show Bar in Cali, participated in the Annual Public Servant's Party invited by the Cali Mayor's Office, and presented the show "Ahora sí" at the 14th World Salsa Festival, collaborating with Incolballet and the Cali Department of Culture.
In March 2020, "Son Mujeres Orquesta" celebrated Women's Month with a show at Topa Tolondra, while their percussionists led workshops at festivals in Brazil and Costa Rica. Despite the pandemic, the group recorded a live concert at the Club Campestre in Cali, which was broadcast on Telepacifico on December 31st. They also took part in the first virtual edition of the Cali Fair.
In 2021, the "Son Mujeres" orchestra performed at the "Actores de la Salsa" event in October, which was organized by the Municipal Department of Culture. During the Cali Fair, they were featured at multiple venues, including the Acústica Show-Bar and the Melómanos and Collectors' Gathering at the Panamerican Courts. That year, they also recorded their album "Clásicos de la Salsa," which received the "Premio de Estímulos" from the Ministry of Culture. The album, available in both audio and video, is a tribute to salsa legends such as Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Willie Colón, and Héctor Lavoe.
In 2022, "Son Mujeres" returned to La Topa Tolondra in Cali to celebrate Women's Month. Since then, they've participated in numerous nighttime and state events, including the Pan American Games and the International Salsa Festival in both 2019 and 2022. At the latter, they secured second place in the Ensemble category alongside the Pioneros del Ritmo Salsa School. During the Cali Fair, they were the opening act at La Verbena del Oriente and the closing act for the "Mujeres de Caña Dulce" concert. In late 2022 and early 2023, they produced their first album, "Salsa en Cuerpo de Mujer, thanks to an award from the Yuri Buenaventura Foundation and CREASONIDOS. The group is currently recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the 10 most representative salsa orchestras in Colombia, making them the only all-female group on the list.
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