Leche De Tigre wants lovers to continue celebrating Valentine’s Day with music and dance. The “band of Tigres” will bring Latin gypsy funk back to the Honokaa People’s Theatre at 6 p.m. Feb. 15.
The band has evolved over the years but always kept its core sound inspired by the music of such artists as Santana, Sade, Django Reinhart and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Leche De Tigre sprouted from a weekly acoustic jam session in the back of Ceviche Dave’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona. The musically adventurous and jovial gatherings explored exotic flavors of Latin, gypsy jazz, rock, Afro-Cuban and classical styles. Within months, it became an event in itself, with a growing audience coming to enjoy the unusual music.
Some band members soon ventured out to play together at other venues, receiving positive responses to their fresh and energetic sound and landing the band gigs. Leche De Tigre continued honing their rocking Latin gypsy funk sound playing shows regularly at restaurants, clubs, private events, as well as theater, festival and outdoor concert venues.
The current band, with both original and new members, consists of Dan Brauer on guitar and vocals, Lee Motter on vocals, Chris Wilson on drums, Robby Malovic on bass, Joe Marcelin on congas and percussion, Dave Weaver on guitar, Ruben Ruiz on percussion and Michaeloha Elam on trumpet.
The band released its debut album, “Lactophilia,” in early 2011. This album led them to win the Big Island Music Awards in the category of World Music. The band additionally released “Live at Aloha Theatre” in 2013, its first live album from a favorite venue. With a fresh batch of original tunes added to its repertoire and following a successful string of theater concerts in Hawaii, Leche De Tigre has had two successful tours in the continental U.S.
Tickets are $15 in advance can be found at ldtband.com, Taro Patch Gifts in Honokaa and Music Exchange in Waimea. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 6:30 p.m.