Ráfaga

Ráfaga is a band in the Argentine cumbia. Formed in 1994, they started playing in Argentine cumbia clubs and quickly gained popularity.

The band is characterised by medieval outfits and jewelry, sometimes becoming close to an image that can be described like a Liberace style.

In 1997 and 1998 they participated in the Midem Latino de Musica in Miami, which gave them an international reputation, taking their music to other countries such as Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, and even to Spain at the end of 1999. In 2001 they went on a North American tour to Canada, then to New York, Washington and Miami.

They continued touring, with concerts in other countries such as Romania (where "La luna y tú" was used for a commercial), Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, China and Australia.

Band members

• Rodrigo Tapari (vocals since 2003)
• Raúl Ariel "Richard" Rosales (guitar)
• Ulises Piñeyro (keyboards)
• Mauro Piñeyro (keyboards)
• Marcelo "Pollo" Rodríguez (percussion)
• Omar Morel (drums)
• Juan Carlos "Coco" Fusco (bass)

Old members

• Ariel Puchetta (1994 - 2003)
• Sergio Aranda (1994 - 2003)
• Mauricio Juarez (1997 - 2003)

Discography

• Soplando fuerte (1996)
• Sobrevolando América (1997)
• Ráfaga en vivo en América (1998) (live in Americas)
• Un Fenómeno Natural (1999)
• Imparables (2000)
• Otra Dimensión (2001)
• Marca Registrada (2002)
• Lo Mejor de Ráfaga (2003)
• Vuela (2004)
• Dueños del Viento (2006)
• Señales (2009)

Important tours

• Viña del Mar (2000)
• European Tour (2000)
• Luna Park Nights (2001)
• Cultura Para Todos (2001)
• Viña del Mar (2001)
• The Farewell Tour (2004)

Awards

• Over a million albums and singles sold
• Gold album in Sweden, Switzerland and Romania
• Double Platinum Disc in Spain
• 7 albums edited in 22 countries
• 4 European tours
• 4 tours in USA and Canada
• Midem Latino Revelation 1996/1997
• 2 Gaviotas de Oro, Viña del Mar Festival
• 4 Gardel awards for Best Tropical Band (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)

External links

• Official Site
• Biography