César Orozco and SonAhead

SonAhead is the latest project of Cuban-Venezuelan pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, violinist, and educator César Orozco, who is also a 2025 Latin Grammy winner for Best Arrangement. In addition to his work on piano, arrangements, and compositions, Orozco takes center stage as the lead vocalist, marking an exciting new chapter in his career.

The name "SonAhead" speaks to its essence: a fusion of Cuban son—a foundational genre for what we now recognize as salsa—infused with elements of modern jazz, electronic music, and Cuban timba, a vibrant style that emerged in the 1990s which has deeply influenced Orozco since his teenage years. Listeners will find echoes of legendary timba groups like NG La Banda, Manolín El Médico de la Salsa, and Isaac Delgado woven throughout the music of SonAhead.

While stepping into the role of lead vocalist may seem novel to those who have followed Orozco's career as a pianist over the past two decades, it's not his first foray into this territory. During his studies at the National School of Arts (ENA) in Cuba, he formed his own band, serving as bandleader, arranger, composer, and vocalist.

After graduating from ENA, Orozco moved to Venezuela, immersing himself in a rich and new cultural landscape that allowed him to take a little break from his Cuban roots and explore the beautiful music and culture of Venezuela. Now, after spending 14 years in Venezuela and 14 years in the United States, he has returned to his Cuban musical heritage with SonAhead, enriched by the diverse influences and experiences he has gathered along his remarkable life journey.

César Orozco and SonAhead will be performing as part of Berklee’s Summer in the City 2026 concert series. View series schedule.