Dan Den, a Cuban music orchestra founded in late 1988 by talented Cuban musician Juan Carlos Alfonso, who serves as its director. The group’s debut took place at the renowned Charangas de Bejucal, a small town south of Havana, considered one of Cuba’s most popular festivals. Thousands of spectators witnessed the majestic performance. Dan Den quickly gained popularity in the country, becoming a favorite among Cuban dance audiences.

Dan Den’s repertoire encompasses diverse Cuban musical genres, such as salsa ballads, sones, cha-cha-chá, boleros, and rumbas. In terms of rhythms, the group has contributed to Cuban music the so-called Dan Den rhythm, a blend of both Cuban and Caribbean rhythms. Its name comes from the ringing of two typical bells used in the famous Charangas de Bejucal.

Dan Den performed in countries such as Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia in late 1994 as part of an extensive international tour. In 1996, they performed at various venues in Cali and Bogota.

Made up of talented musicians, Dan Den has toured internationally on several occasions, promoting their music. The group has achieved a distinctive sound thanks to Alfonso’s piano playing, the arrangements of the songs they perform, and, especially, the timbre of their vocals.

The orchestra stands out for its extensive collection of songs, including: Mi cuerpo (My Body), El chico Suchel (The Boy Suchel), El ritmo Dan Den (Dan Den Rhythm), Mi cuerpo (My Body), and Ámame con tu experiencia (Love Me with Your Experience). Many of these songs have reached important places on both national and international hit parades. In January 1998, the song “Mi cuerpo” reached #12 on Mexican radio stations, spending 49 weeks on the charts.

Many of Dan Den’s albums are sold abroad and are a staple among DJs in nightclubs there. They have also won awards such as: Viejo Lázaro (1993) won Best Instrumentalist at the Cali Fair, and Dale campanas (2002) won the 2003 EGREM Award for Best New Album.

The Cuban company EGREM (1008 3rd Street between 10th and 12th, Miramar, Playa, Havana).

He has published most of the albums by the prominent group. Among them are titles such as “Siempre hay un ojo que te ve” (There’s Always an Eye That Sees You), “Más Rollo Que Película” (More Roll Than Movie), “Son cubano a lo Dan Den” (Cuban Son a la Dan Den), and “Dale Campana” (Dale Campana) (2002).

This unique group has generated refrains transmitted among the Cuban population that have spontaneously become popular phrases, such as “hit the one who didn’t hit you,” a vivid example of this.

Dan Den is one of the most celebrated orchestras in Cuban popular music, not only during the 1990s, but has managed to remain at the forefront of Cuban music to this day.

Discography: There’s always an eye that sees you (1990), More roll than film” (1991), Love me with your experience (1992), More roll than film (1992), Old Lazarus (1993), Taking advantage of the coverage (1994), Hit the one who didn’t hit you (1994), Cuban Son a la Dan Den (1995), My body (1996), Salsa in ataré (1997), Beautiful mechanics (1998), Greatest hits (2000), Give bells (2002), Passion (2004).