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Grupo Fantasma has been praised as one of the most important independent acts in the Latin genre and has continually defied expectations to create one of the most unique musical voices to come out of the United States in the last decade. In 2011 they garnered further acclaim by winning a Grammy (their second such nomination) for their self-produced release El Existential on Nat Geo Music which the Wall Street Journal called “Latin music both new and traditional…vibrant fusions that transcend easy classification.”
The band’s incendiary live show, declared by NPR as “seamless whenever and wherever they’re on stage” has brought the band to major festivals and venues internationally including Bonnaroo, North Sea Jazz Festival and Lowlands in the Netherlands, Kennedy Center, London’s O2 Arena, Montreal Jazz Festival, WOMEX, Tempo Latino (France) as well as two tours to Kuwait and Iraq to entertain US troops. Their diverse spectrum of rabid and devoted fans such as Rodney Anonymous from the Dead Milkmen and Stu Cook from Creedence Clearwater Revival speaks to the ensemble’s universal appeal beyond just Latin or world music fans. In addition, they have worked or recorded with Maceo Parker, Sheila-E, Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets, Ruben Ramos and cult-hero Daniel Johnston.
Grupo Fantasma has also seen a wide array of film and TV placements including AMC’s Breaking Bad, the John Sayles’ film Casa de los Babys, Showtime’s hit series Weeds, ABC’s Ugly Betty, NBC’s Law & Order and many others. They have served as the backing band on several occasions for the legendary Prince (ALMA Awards on ABC, Golden Globes, CBS Super Bowl Bash), Fania All-Stars pianist Larry Harlow and indie rock standouts Spoon. In 2012 they will release a live album / DVD package and continue to tour the globe with club and festival dates.
Grupo Fantasma is a ten piece musical collective formed in 2000 in Austin, Texas consisting of Jose Galeano (timbales, vocals), Kino Esparza (vocals, hand percussion), Adrian Quesada (guitar), Beto Martinez (guitar), Greg Gonzalez (bass), John Speice (drums), Matthew “Sweet Lou” Holmes (congas), Gilbert Elorreaga (trumpet), Josh Levy (baritone saxophone) and Mark “Speedy” Gonzales (trombone).
"Latin music both new and traditional...vibrant fusions that transcend easy classification" –Wall Street Journal
“Latin funk masters.” – USA Today
“A sound done so right that you have to hand the crown to this group.” – Huffington Post
“Seamless…whenever and wherever they’re on stage.” – NPR
“Tightly weaving Anglo, Afro and Latin musical genres, El Existential takes on an identity of its own. They blast off in their own funktified, genre-breaking directions.” - Billboard
“One of the sickest live bands ever” – Philadelphia Weekly
“Real musicians playing real music.” – Prince
"An orgy of creative musicianship" - San Francisco Weekly
“Fantasma is honing a decidedly 21st-century version of Latin groove.” - Boston Globe
“This album shows what the fuss is about…it’s a fresh, energetic set” – The Guardian (UK)
“The grassroots success of Grupo Fantasma marks them as one of the decade’s most important artists in the Latin genre.” – All Music Guide
“This freight train of a latin band could easily hold its own in a sweaty bandbox in the Bronx…they’ll knock you down with the grooves.” – The Village Voice
“The ten members of Grupo Fantasma represent a new generation in Latin music.” – Washington Post
“Listening to Grupo Fantasma is like watching the Iron Chef at work; they create a sprawling feast for the ears.” – Boston Phoenix
“The band's instrumental prowess and facility with arrangements imply study in the best music schools, but the chops, lyrics and attitude trumpet an immediate grasp of what's happening on the street.” – Houston Press
"Grupo Fantasma was as tight as one would expect from a band that routinely backs up Prince" -LA Weekly
“Famous for their incendiary live shows.” – Toronto Sun
“Grupo Fantasma’s rise to the top can be attributed to both their innovative musical style and their unrivaled work ethic.” – La Prensa San Diego
“The future of latin music…in a market saturated by pretenders and copycats, it’s always refreshing to hear a band with a unique sound.” – Know The Ledge (UK)
“The most adventurous pan-cultural Latin band.” – San Antonio Current
“Grupo Fantasma is a breakthrough in Latin American Music.” - Oklahoma Daily