CHEO Y LOS CONSENTIDOS DE LA CASA
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Cheo y Los Consentidos de la Casa bring a full salsa-funk crew to Barbès for a set that revisits old salsa dura hits while looking toward new material. Cheo Pardo leads on guitar, using it in place of a horn section, alongside three percussionists, piano and bass. The night continues with DJ sets after the band, extending the rhythm-led program beyond the live performance.
The group is a New York project formed as a Latin-night house band at Nublu and led by guitarist and producer Cheo Pardo, known for Los Amigos Invisibles, Locobeach and DJ Afro. Its sound joins salsa and funk with references to boogaloo, cha-cha-cha and bolero, driven by a powerful rhythm section and guitar effects. The project has released a live album recorded at Nublu featuring guests Felipe Fournier, Chico Raro and José Benjamín; Benjamín also appears on “Ay que rico” on keyboards and vocals. The band describes its purpose as putting “the funk in the salsa and the swing in the soul,” a useful guide to a set built for groove as much as song craft.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.