A Cultural Harmony: Mixing Salsa & Rock Bands for a Memorable Wedding
Bringing two cultures together through music is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a musician. Recently, I had the honor of doing just that at a beautiful wedding that combined the rich salsa rhythms of Colombia with the rock and pop vibes of upstate New York. The bride, originally from Colombia, had discovered my salsa band, Salsa Ithacana, on my website, and was immediately interested in incorporating it into her wedding. The groom, on the other hand, hailed from Buffalo, NY, and wanted rock and pop music for his side of the family. To accommodate both, I decided to merge two of my bands—Salsa Ithacana and The Way Band—creating a seamless blend of two cultures for a day of celebration.
(some photos by Steve Gabris)
Here is a highlight reel of only the salsa portion of the wedding.
Perfect Venue
The setting for this unique wedding was the groom’s father’s country farmhouse, a stunning venue with picturesque
surroundings. The beautiful late summer day in mid-September provided the perfect backdrop, with temperatures in the low 80s and the sun shining brightly. Knowing it would be a long day, I wisely booked an Airbnb nearby for the night before and the night of the wedding. This allowed me to be well-rested and focused for the day ahead. I also packed a cooler full of ice-cold seltzers, ensuring I stayed refreshed throughout the event.
The Ceremony: A Musical Fusion of Cultures
The ceremony was a blend of both cultures and musical styles. I played solo acoustic guitar as guests arrived, setting the tone with some classic Latin pieces such as “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony and a bachata arrangement of “Poinciana.” As the ceremony began, the requests for each procession were diverse, reflecting the couple’s cultural backgrounds and personal tastes. The groom entered to “All The Small Things” by Blink-182, a nod to his American roots and love for rock music. The bridal party proceeded to “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac, adding a classic pop touch to the ceremony.
The bride made her entrance to “Hasta la Raíz” by Natalia Lafourcade, a beautiful song with heartfelt Spanish lyrics. Initially, I
was concerned about pulling off a song with so many Spanish lyrics, but as I practiced and learned it, I found joy in the process. The performance went smoothly, and afterward, the bride’s family approached me to compliment my rendition. The groom also appreciated my acoustic version of the Blink-182 song, further affirming the success of this cultural blend.
Salsa Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, I joined my fellow band members from Salsa Ithacana under the large tent set up in
the yard for the cocktail hour. Here, we played a more subdued set of Latin jazz and Latin rock. The couple had chosen a mix of songs from my repertoire, including classics like “Guantanamera,” “The Days of Wine and Roses,” “Low Rider,” and “Samba de Orfeu.” Despite many guests still mingling near the bar, several made their way under the tent to listen, applauding enthusiastically after each song.
One of the challenges of cocktail hour is striking the right balance between background and featured music. Salsa Ithacana managed to do this beautifully by playing at a volume and energy level that allowed people to converse while still appreciating the music. The set helped set a relaxed yet festive mood for the evening, bringing a Latin flavor that resonated well with the guests.
Rock & Pop Dinner Hour
For dinner, we made the transition from instrumental Latin jazz to rock and pop classics with vocals, blending the two genres to 
please both cultural groups. This part of the evening featured wedding staples like “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel and “Badfish” by Sublime. Given the bride’s California background, we also threw in “California Girls” by the Beach Boys, which was a hit. To bridge the gap between our salsa material and the rock numbers, we performed a lively rendition of Santana’s “Black Magic Woman.”
This transition showcased the versatility of both bands and the thoughtfulness that went into planning the setlist. The groom and bride had pre-selected songs, giving us a solid framework while leaving room for improvisation and audience engagement. Seeing both sides of the family enjoying the music together during the dinner hour was incredibly fulfilling, as it underscored the power of music to bridge cultural
divides.
Dance Floor: Salsa and Rock
Once dinner concluded, it was time to open the dance floor. We kicked things off with upbeat salsa songs like “Idilio” by Willie Colón, “Pa’lla” by Marc Anthony, and “Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie. However, the peak of the salsa dance portion came when we played two merengue songs back-to-back: “Pégame Tu Vicio” and “Compadre Pedro Juan.” Merengue music is known for its uplifting, easy-to-dance-to rhythm, and the energy on the dance floor was electric. Guests quickly formed a conga line and then created an outer circle, placing the bride in the center.
This was an impromptu decision; we hadn’t planned on playing the two merengue songs consecutively, but the energy of the crowd called for it. As an experienced band leader, I’ve learned the importance of 
reading the room and adapting the setlist on the fly. This flexibility is key to maintaining the event’s momentum and ensuring that everyone has a great time. I don’t usually make a strict setlist for weddings but instead focus on understanding the couple’s preferences and reading the crowd to choose the perfect songs for each moment.
One of my favorite moments of the night was when the groom’s mother approached me with a request for “The Pee-Wee Herman Song.” Initially, I had no idea what she was referring to, but she hummed a bit of the melody, and it clicked—it was “Tequila” by The Champs. During a break, I listened to the song on Spotify, and the band quickly familiarized themselves with it. We played it towards the end of the night, and it was a big hit, adding a fun, spontaneous element to the evening.
As we moved into the second half of the dance set, we played rock and pop classics such as “Play That Funky Music,” “September,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” and “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates. We even threw in some modern pop dance numbers like “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake and “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson. The night ended on a high note with Elvis’ “Hound Dog,” which paid homage to the groom’s rock-n-roll roots. Our extra percussionist, who alternated between congas, bongos, guiro, and tambourine, added a unique layer to the rock and pop songs, blending elements of both bands seamlessly.
Rewarding Experience Bringing Cultures Together
The wedding was a huge success, and both the bride and groom were delighted with how the music turned out. Hearing from family members and guests about how much they enjoyed the diverse musical experience was incredibly r
ewarding. The evening beautifully demonstrated how music can bring people together, regardless of cultural background.
Blending two bands and multiple musical genres into one cohesive experience required careful planning and a willingness to adapt on the spot. However, the effort was well worth it. Not only did we create a memorable event for the couple and their guests, but it also showcased the versatility of my musical endeavors. I’m grateful for the opportunity to combine the talents of Salsa Ithacana and The Way Band to create a unique musical journey that catered to the tastes of both cultures.
Being a full-time musician allows me to explore different genres and adapt to various event needs, but few experiences have been as fulfilling as this one. It was a day filled with love, joy, and an incredible mix of music that united everyone on the dance floor.
Here is the client’s review:
If you’re planning an event that requires a blend of musical styles, feel free to reach out. With my experience and the versatile talents of both Salsa Ithacana and The Way Band, we can create a musical experience tailored to your unique celebration. Book a free music consultation with me or reach out through the contact page.
