Their anthem "Oiga, Mire, Vea" became more than a hit. It became a cultural declaration, a musical passport, and a sonic reminder of where they come from and where they're headed for many Latinos abroad. Now, Guayacán returns to Miami on July 24 for a live performance at The Flamingo Theater Bar, and they're bringing four decades of sabor (taste), sudor (sweat), and storytelling with them.
"We came to bring joy. That's what we were born to do, and that's what we still do," says Alexis Lozano, the band's founder and musical director, in conversation with New Times. His voice is grounded and bright, like someone who's seen the world dance to their beat.
We had the chance to speak with Lozano and longtime vocalist Nino Caicedo — two pillars of the Guayacán family. A conversation about memory, movement, and the responsibility of carrying joy across borders unfolded.
Born of the River
Before the stages and world tours, there was just the river. "We grew up jumping from trees, covered in sand and sunshine," Nino recalls with a chuckle. "We didn't wear watches, didn't have phones. Just the rhythm of the day and the sound of water."Those childhood memories — barefoot, muddy, sunburned — are now woven into the DNA of their music. At every concert, Guayacán opens with a short video reel showing children from the Pacific coast reenacting the group's early days. Swinging from branches. Diving into rivers. Singing under trees. "Those kids? That's us," Lozano says. "That joy, that freedom, that's what built Guayacán."
The name Guayacán comes from a native tree known for its strength and vibrant yellow flowers. It's a fitting metaphor for a band rooted in resilience, blooming wherever it's planted.
Guayacán's music is more than salsa — a fusion of Afro-Colombian percussion, marimba, brass, and storytelling. "We never wanted to sound like anyone else," says Lozano. "Our roots are in the Pacific, and that's a sound the world needed to hear".
From "Te Amo, Te Extraño" to "Torero", their catalog is as romantic as it is rebellious. But "Oiga, Mire, Vea" catapulted them into legend. Released in 1991, the track became an instant classic — celebrating the city of Cali with a contagious chorus that still sets dance floors on fire. "I remember being told, 'You need to write a song for Cali,'" Nino says. "And we were like, already did. It just hadn't been recorded yet."
When they finally performed it live at Madison Square Garden, alongside legends like Joe Arroyo, La Sonora Ponceña, and José Alberto "El Canario," the reaction was seismic.
"The place went wild," Lozano says. "Not because we were better than anyone, just because it was the right song at the right time."
Guayacán in the U.S.: Barranquilla, Then Cali
The group's first performances in the United States were in New York and Miami during the early '90s. "At first, the Barranquilleros and Cartageneros packed the shows," Nino says. "They were the ones who showed up, sang along, and brought the flavor."But once the Caleños arrived, everything changed. "Cali showed up hard," they laugh. "And that's when we knew our music had truly crossed borders." Their concerts became more than performances; they were reunions, parties, spiritual returns to the homeland. "For so many Colombians in the diaspora, we became a bridge," Lozano adds. "And we've always taken that role seriously."
Today, Guayacán is still writing, recording, and touring — a rare feat in a musical era ruled by short attention spans and algorithm-driven fame. "We're in shape for the battle," Nino says. "Some groups stop touring. We haven't. Some have the hits but no stage presence. We still have both."
They credit this longevity to one thing: passion. "If you don't love this, you can't survive it," Lozano says. "There are no shortcuts. It has to come from your soul." They're not chasing trends. They're staying true to their sound, and inviting the next generation to keep dancing.
Guayacán's influence isn't just measured in records sold or concerts played. It's felt in quinceañeras, weddings, backyard parties, and nostalgic nights on Spotify playlists. Their music has become part of the Latin American emotional archive —etched into memory and played repeatedly.
And as they return to Miami, the energy is as strong as ever. "We're still here, still smiling, still singing," Nino says. "If there's a party for Colombia's Independence, we're showing up with marimbas, trombones, and hearts."
Guayacán Orquesta will perform live in Miami on Wednesday, July 24, at the iconic Flamingo Theater Bar, as part of a celebration of Colombian Independence and the enduring spirit of salsa. So if you've ever danced to "Torero", if your childhood sounded like "Cada Día Que Pasa", or if you're simply curious about the sound of Colombia's Pacific soul — this is your moment.
Oiga, mire, vea. The rhythm never left. It's just waiting for you to come back.
Guayacán Orquesta. 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Flamingo Theater Bar, 801 Brickell Bay Dr., Miami; 786-803-8194. Free event with invitation.
