Originally from Venezuela, the GRAMMY-nominated bassist Álvaro Benavides is now based out of NYC, where he regularly performs with some of the world’s most renowned Cuban bands. Famed for his unshakeable timing and unerring instinct, Benavides’ beats and grooves combust alongside the cajón into an uplifting and powerful rhythmic surge. In the past decade, Benavides has been best known as a member of the acclaimed Pedrito Martinez Group, and he has also been seen on stage with luminaries including Wynton Marsalis, John Scofield, Steve Gadd, Rubén Blades, and Issac Delgado. For an intimate ¡VAYA! social dance event, Benavides leads a quintet featuring his former bandmates Jhair Sala on percussion and Ariacne Trujillo on keys and vocals—accompanied by Leo Gruber on back vocals and a very special guest: master cajón player Diego “El Negro” Alvarez.