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deSol remain modestly proud of their beginnings, and true to their hometown fans. They converse with old friends before the show, and afterward wait around to sign autographs and chat with the crowd. The positive energy of this group spreads through the audience, as people of all ages gather around the stage to dance and sing along with the music. "I want to motivate people in a positive way," says Albie. "Even if it’s just people dancing in front of the stage."
deSol’s members come from a variety of backgrounds, and bring with them a unique mix of musical styles and influences. The distinctly latin feel of their music in fact stems from many cultural origins--Cuba, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and the United States, to name a few. When asked to name musical influences, the band reel off a slew of names: Carlos Santana, Elton John, Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Marley. Their music reflects these eclectic backgrounds, blending the rhythms of Salsa, reggae, and rhamba, with the styles of North American blues and rock and roll.
For most of the band, music has been an integral part of life since day one. "A lot of us grew up listening to Spanish music," reports charter member and perussionist James. "So it’s second nature to us. We didn’t start out trying to be a latin band. But it was part of our roots, and we had to be true to that." James began playing the bass guitar in high school, then switched to percussion, which he has played in some form ever since. Albie started playing the piano at age seven, and as a teenager took up guitar. Both band members recall the strong influence and support of their parents. "Anything I needed musically they always got for me," recalls Albie. "That is the most important thing for a musician: support." At one point during the night, Albie even dedicated a song to the Spanish music that his mother used to blast out of her window in Queens, New York, when he was growing up.
deSol kept the rhythms moving far into the night. In fact, if not for the 10 p.m. sound curfew, the energy and music of this band might have kept going indefinitely. Then it would only be a question of who tired first--the band, or their dancing, enthusiastic fans.
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