In 2006, Claudia Gonzalez-Tenorio re-emerged as CAVA: a project that continued the evolution of Latin music in Los Angeles. Her Voice communicates a strong-willed feminine energy that is both simultaneously sultry and maternal.
The ensemble features Walter Miranda on Piano, electric-Keyboards & Bass – Walter is a wildly talented musician most known for his eclectic arrangements in the short lived but long remembered ska group from the 90′s Yeska (a group he co-founded). Through out his carreer he’s been featured by The Beastie Boys, Money Mark, Sublime, and Mexico’s Plastilina Mosh.
On Drums; Adam Topol presents himself on a hybrid configuration of Timbales/ Rock Kit. Adam is mostly known for his collaborations with Jack Johnson and can be seen & heard on all of his Videos & Recordings.
Caludia, now performing under her artistic name “Cava”, is featured on Cajon, Jarana, and Japanese Taiko. Her career began at the age of 8, when she took the stage accompanied by a full Mexican Mariachi on a night of artistic showcases presented at the historic Million Dollar Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Among the talent, were some of Mexico’s finest performers. She has opened for such artists like; Lila Downs, Money Mark, Charanga Cakewalk, Ozomatli, English Beat & Jackson Browne to name a few. Cava has made numerous T.V and Film appearances, the most popular being Along Came Polly where she collaborated with musical friend Money Mark to co-write and perform in the infamous “Salsa” scene with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.With Cava at the helm leading on percussion and Lead vocals the group creates a combination of sounds unique to a Mexican-American upbringing, musically influenced by Celia Cruz, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder and Santana & Skatallites. The young musicians together seamlessly blend traditional Afro-Cuban Son, Cumbia, Ska, Salsa & Funk!
CAVA has been featured in local L.A. Magazine “Tú Ciudad” as the next up and coming artist to look out for. She has independently released two albums titled CAVA & A Naughty Dread – purposely introducing the new configuration of Latin powered Jazz tinged with Peruvian soul.
Only a few years into the project and the reviews tell it like it is. L.A. Times Calendar Music Review…
“ ‘But then came CAVA, a bawdy, boisterous and blistering singer-songwriter….‘Cava takes the stage like a gang claims it’s home turf.’…. ‘It’s a shot in the arm for East L.A.’s moribund music scene.’ ”