Rumba Nueva

Upon arriving in Minnesota from New York in 1998, a group of young Dominicans formed a musical ensemble called Grupo Caliente, whose performances of merengue and bachata music gained popularity, making them area favorites. In 2003, the group became Rumba Nueva and currently features Carmelo Medina on piano, Leonel Sax on saxophone, Gilbert on the güira, Alexis on timbales and Leo Burdier on lead vocals.