PLENAZO TRIBE

The Beat of a New Generation

Music is more than sound—it’s a heartbeat, a lifeline, a bridge between worlds. Plena, the rhythm of resistance and celebration from Puerto Rico, has traveled the globe, carried by hands that refuse to let its voice be silenced. This is the story of Plenazo Tribe, a band born from that journey, a rhythm that found new life in the heart of Los Angeles.

It started with a young Puerto Rican, Gabriel J Montes from Carolina, Puerto Rico, who grew up with Plena running through his veins. He played in the streets of Poland with Guamanique, to the plazas of Madrid, where Los Pleneros del Exilio kept the rhythm alive, he carried his panderos like sacred relics. When he arrived in California, he found a city full of music, yet empty of the Plena he knew and loved. So, he played. He played at the writers’ and actors’ strike, his panderos echoing like a call to arms. But there weren’t enough hands to answer.

That’s when necessity became innovation. Inspired by the legendary Tito Matos, he crafted a bipandero, a new way to play two panderos at once—a symbol of resilience, of keeping the tradition alive no matter the odds.

His older brother visited from Texas, and over a meal at a Puerto Rican restaurant, a new door opened. There was no need for a waiter, but there was a need for Plena. The restaurant became a stage. The last Friday of every month became a Plenazo, a gathering, a movement. And from that movement, the Tribe was born.

Plenazo Tribe is more than a band—it’s a fusion of cultures, sounds, and dreams. With members from Argentina, Ecuador, Cuba, France, Peru, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia & USA, they blend their histories into something bold and new. Their Plena pulses with the soul of Latin America, the groove of Afro-Caribbean beats, the fire of modern music production. On October 8, 2024, they released their first single, "Ritmo de la Plena", a declaration of their mission: to make Plena a powerful contemporary genre that resonates across the world.

Now, they stand at the edge of something greater—recording new music, breaking new ground, bringing the heartbeat of Plena to places it has never been before.

This is Plenazo Tribe. This is the sound of tradition reborn. The rhythm of a new generation. The pulse of the world.

La Tribu del Plenazo (live)- NPR Tiny Desk Submission

Ritmo de la Plena (Official Video)

Caballo de Troya Challenge PJ Sin Suela

Plenazo Tribe at The Odyssey Theater March 10, 2024

GABRIEL J MONTES

An actor, dancer, singer, percussionist, director, writer, producer, teacher, date seller at farmers market, triathlete and free diver from Carolina, Puerto Rico. He earned his BA in Theater from the University of Puerto Rico and went on to obtain his MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts.

Gabriel is the founder of the Plenazo Tribe. At Plenazo, participants not only get to enjoy performances of plena but are also invited to bring their own instruments and join in the joyful celebration of this traditional Puerto Rican music.

Rooted in musical and movement traditions, Gabriel acknowledges his uncles Hector Montes, Roberto Jimenez, and Edwin Montes as his professors and mentors. The profound influence of his extraordinary mother, Shirley Montes Albino, has shaped him into the artist he is today. Gabriel's role model is his father, Epifanio Jimenez—his pillar of strength and love. A heartfelt gracias extends to his brothers EpiJ & Gian, grandmas, sisters, cousins, mothers, fathers, aunts, friends, and chosen family, who have been an integral part of his journey.

Follow Gabriel's artistic adventures on Instagram: @gabrieljmontes

BENNEY BEATZ

Plenazo Tribe's Music Producer. French-Californian, earned his BFA in Drum Jazz & Music Tech from California Institute of the Arts. From playing in the CalArts World Percussion ensemble to jamming out on timbales with "Los Angelitos del Mambo", playing congas with "Veetchy" and drums with "NC7teen". And when he is not rocking the stage, he's running The Music Ball- a little something to help nuture creativity and wellness.

EMI DESIRÉ

Ecuadorian multi percussionist, composer, and arts educator.
Strongly influenced by Latin American culture, she has created her own original music and artwork fusing traditional music from Latin America and world music with new music and jazz. She also has performed in numerous ensembles including Plenazo Tribe, Club Mambi, Chacombo Afro-Peruvian ensemble, CalArts Brazilian Drumming Ensemble, Trio Acústico de las Americas, Tambora, Afro-Uruguayan Comparsa Medio Mundo, Cambamberos traditional Colombian ensemble, and several multidisciplinary projects including The Lost Tribes, a Theatre Dybbuk production in Los Angeles under the direction of Aaron Henne and Michael Skloff.

Besides being an active performer, recording artist, and composer, she has taught at a variety of educational programs in Ecuador, Brazil and Los Angeles.
Emilia earned a Bachelor of Music from Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", MFA and DMA degree from the California Institute of the Arts.

MAGA SHUKAR

Actor. Singer. Nomad. Composer of Gypsy afrolatin Sounds. Born in Cordoba, Argentina, studied Theater at Escuela Integral de Teatro Roberto Arlt, after she graduated, Maga took her degree and kept it in the bottom of her backpack and started traveling the world. She has been part of Companies of Theater, Music and Circus such as: La Tormentosa Teatro, Circo Da Vinci. Circo en Escena. Rompecabezas, rock para chicos. La Contra Tango. Polen Kumpania nomade. Chacombo. Afroperuvian experience. Club Mambi. She wandered through paths, scenes and stages of Latinamerica, Europe and North Africa for more than 15 years, connecting with ancestralities and costumes, learning rhythms and dances... A cultural path that developed a Mestizo and adventurer personality. Her compositions are full of mysticism and accompanied by the forces of nature, which cradle her in the coming and going of inhabiting the city without losing my animality .

From the Rio de la Plata to the Caribbean Sea it was the waters that marked her path... with Candombe she learned to embrace the drum, with Rumba everything took on a magical sense and she understood that her song becomes stronger in Afro Latin America.

DAVID GOMEZ

David Gomez is a Cuban bassist with more than 10 years of experience as a professional bass player. He began his musical studies at the age of 10 in his hometown of Havana,Cuba, where he studied classical music for 9 years.

After finishing his studies, he began performing in various musical genres such as jazz, funk, rock, musical theater, salsa and popular dance music and has shared the stage with great icons of Cuban music such as Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdez , Angeles, Michel Herrera and many more.

After spending two years as a professional musician in Havana, he decided to continue his musical career in the United States where he settled in the city of Los Angeles.

Since moving to Los Angeles, David has played as a session musician (recording), live concerts, tours and numerous events including the Latin music Awards, Woodstock music festival, and San Francisco jazz festival.

GABRIELA BONET

Gabriela Bonet is an actor, dancer and singer born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. She is the singer of the Afro-Cuban Assembly of Conga Kidsand a member of The Plenazo Tribe.

Some of her theater credits include The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Antaeus Theater LA) Homeward LA 2019 (The Boston Court LA) Bright Room Called Day- Revisited (USC) Middletown (USC) Mariology (Critical Mass Performance Group) Platero and I (The Kennedy Center in Washington DC and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland). Film credits include The Babymoon, Renacer, Trapo Sucio & the Puerto Rican TV Series Incognita 2. Gabriela holds a B.A. in Acting from the University of Puerto Rico and an MFA in Acting from the USC School of Dramatic Arts.

At Hollywood Actors & Writers Strike

At El Floridita in Holywood

At the Moroccan Lounge Opening for PJ Sin Suela

Moroccan Loung Opening PJ Sin Suela

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Phone: +1(787)220-0459

Email: plenazotribe@gmail.com

Follow me: @plenazotribe

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