Fruko y sus Tesos
10th October 2024

Julio Ernesto Estrada, better known as Fruko, is a living legend with a career spanning 60 years. He has recorded more than 8,000 songs, soundtracking the lives of Latin Americans and tropical music lovers all over the world. This October he is coming with his acclaimed orchestra, Fruko y Sus Tesos.

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Fruko started his musical journey as a teenager, working at Discos Fuentes where he learned his skills in music production and to play a variety instruments, settling on the bass, an instrument that can lead the harmonic and percussive parts of the orchestra. During the 1960s he produced for many artists, played and created various groups, as well as touring and meeting with the likes of Tito Puente, Bobby Cruz, Hector Lavoe, and Willie Colón.

In 1970, at the age of 19, he created Fruko y Sus Tesos, the first group wholly devoted to salsa with a Colombian twist. The band has released over 40 albums to date and is engraved in the musical memory of salsa listeners. His song ‘El Preso’ has become a salsa anthem, it is a prayer and a lament from those behind bars, and a great example of how each song often tells a profound, sometimes dark story with a flowing vigorous rhythm.

Fruko y Sus Tesos quickly became one of Colombia’s most influential bands, discovering artists that became stars. Joe Arroyo was perhaps the most famous of a list that also includes Wilson Saoko, Juan Carlos Coronel, Piper Pimienta and Joseito Martinez. He called the band Fruko y Sus Tesos (Fruko and His Toughest) because he always looked for the most talented musicians.

His contributions to tropical music go beyond salsa as, parallel to Fruko y Sus Tesos, he has taken part in the creation of many more bands at Discos Fuentes. He reformed the cumbia orchestra La Sonora Dinamita, as well as created The Latin Brothers, Afrosound, and Wganda Kenya to name but a few.

Celebrating 60 years, Fruko y sus Tesos embark on a European tour that takes them to Paris, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. Don’t miss this chance to experience the powerful and legendary sound of one of Colombia’s most influential salsa bands live!