MONTUNO CUBANO RELEASES NEW DANCE SINGLE “BAILA MI GUARACHA”

Born in Santiago de Cuba and now based in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Montuno Cubano’s songwriter, lead singer, and principal instrumentalist on requinto, Jorge Peña bridges cultures through music. The latest single, Baila Mi Guaracha, draws inspiration from the vibrant Cuban guaracha tradition—a style celebrated for its infectious rhythms, spirited vocals, and irresistible invitation to dance.

The song's journey mirrors Peña's own international path. Originally written while performing in Spain, Baila Mi Guaracha took on new meaning after he settled in Canada. Reflecting a changing world and a desire to connect people across borders, Peña reimagined the song as a celebration of shared joy, transforming it from a regional dance tune into a global musical invitation. “The world is changing, so I changed the song and recorded it again to engage people living in today's world,” said Peña. The lyrics capture the essence of the track's message: when music begins, people from every background find a common rhythm. The song's playful chorus encourages listeners everywhere to dance, celebrate, and embrace the energy of the moment. The recording process further expanded the song's international spirit. During sessions at Crabbe Road Productions in Prince Edward Island, producer Sergey Varlamov had ideas as to how to create more opportunities for audience participation. The result was the addition of the enthusiastic shout of “¡Guaracha!”—a call-and-response element designed to unite crowds at festivals, concerts, and dance halls. Varlamov and Peña also incorporated the names of countries into the performance, reinforcing the idea that music transcends language, geography, and culture. “People are always asking me about my family in Cuba and how they are doing,” Peña explained. “Music and dance have always helped people through difficult times. That is true in Cuba, and it is true everywhere. No matter where we live, music can lift our spirits.” That philosophy is reflected in one of Peña's favourite expressions. Noting the similarity between the English word “optimism” and the Spanish word “optimismo,” he says his outlook is simple: “No matter what is happening in the world, I will not accept pesimismo, only optimismo.”

At its heart, Baila Mi Guaracha is more than a dance song. It is a celebration of resilience, and the universal power of music to bring people together.