My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Grupo Niche Announced At MPAC

By:

Grupo Niche Announced At MPAC Image Columbia salsa kings Grupo Niche perform at Mayo Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 18 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39-$99.

Grupo Niche is a salsa group founded by Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano in 1979 in Colombia. Niche enjoys great popularity throughout Latin America. Varela remained with the group until his death in 2012, as producer, director, songwriter, vocalist and guitar player. Alexis Lozano, trombone player and arranger later left to form Orquesta Guayacán.

Grupo Niche's first album: "Al Pasito" was released in 1980, did little to challenge the dominating salsa band of Colombia at the time, Fruko y sus Tesos. The following year, however, the group found success with their second album, "Querer es Poder", particularly with the single "Buenaventura y Caney."

The group relocated in 1982 to Cali where they have been based since. Grupo Niche released "No Hay Quinto Malo" in 1984, which featured their signature song, "Cali Pachanguero". The tribute hit single to the "world salsa capital" catapulted Niche as one of the top salsa bands of Colombia.

In 1986, the band incorporated Puerto Rican vocalist Tito Gomez, who had previously worked with the famous Puerto Rican salsa group, la Sonora Ponceña, and Ray Barretto, the Godfather of Latin Jazz. Later that year, Grupo Niche released "Me Huele a Matrimonio" and receive rave reviews and enjoyed huge concert attendance.

Grupo Niche is referred to as the Salsa Experience with its vigorous, up tempo dance music as well as slower-paced romantic numbers. Among its best known hits are "Cali Aji", "Del Puente Pa'llá", "Sin Sentimientos", "Una Aventura", "Etnia", "Gotas de Lluvia", "Han Cogido la Cosa", "Mi Pueblo Natal", "Hagamos Lo Que Diga Corazon", "Duele Mas", "Nuestro Sueño", and the famous cumbia "Canoa Rancha". Their most famous song is "Cali Pachanguero".

Many famous singers have been a part of Niche and gone on to magnificent careers of their own. Current singers are: Elvis "Magno"Angulo, Yuri Toro, Alex Torres and Luis Araque . The success of Grupo Niche is based on their commitment to Salsa Music Traditions, Romantic Ballads and a truly amazing stage show. The audience response is amazing; cheering, dancing and long standing ovations.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Revival of a Play - Top 3
1. Death of a Salesman
28.9% of votes
2. Every Brilliant Thing
27.4% of votes
3. Oedipus
9% of votes

Need more New Jersey Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Monty Python's Spamalot in New Jersey Monty Python's Spamalot
Barn Theatre (5/15-6/06) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Not the Right Mom Written & Performed by Megan Dolan in New Jersey Not the Right Mom Written & Performed by Megan Dolan
Avenel Performing Arts Center (5/30-5/30) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Hey! I Heard You're Black in New Jersey Hey! I Heard You're Black
Unidentified Stages (6/05-6/06)
Indigo Girls in New Jersey Indigo Girls
State Theatre New Jersey (6/06-6/06)
AC/DC in New Jersey AC/DC
MetLife Stadium (9/25-9/25)
American Folktales in New Jersey American Folktales
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (6/13-6/13)
Season Finale: Symphonie fantastique in New Jersey Season Finale: Symphonie fantastique
Count Basie Center for the Arts (6/06-6/06)
Mrs. Christie in New Jersey Mrs. Christie
McCarter Theatre Center (5/06-5/31)
Disney’s Aladdin KIDS in New Jersey Disney’s Aladdin KIDS
The Vogel at Count Basie Center for the Arts (6/10-6/11)
The Jersey City Jazz Festival! Fri May 29th-Sun May 31st at Exchange Place in Jersey City FREE MUSIC! in New Jersey The Jersey City Jazz Festival! Fri May 29th-Sun May 31st at Exchange Place in Jersey City FREE MUSIC!
1 Exchange Place (5/29-5/29)