meet the band

Sangre Nueva is a Latin band founded in the year 2000 by its leader and musical director, Juan Karlos Jimenez, composed then by 8 musicians focusing on Cuban music and other Latin styles such as salsa, danzón, cha cha chá, Latin Jazz, among many others.  It’s not until 2009 that the group changes to its current name, SANGRE NUEVA, and is established as one of Los Angeles’s premiere salsa bands.

Currently the band has 9 members, all of which have studied music from renowned universities and conservatories such as Berklee College of Music, Univ. of Texas, Univ. of Southern California, and the Escuela Nacional de Arte de Cuba.  Through their studies and many years of experience, the musicians master the style of Puerto Rican salsa with Cuban roots.

Sangre Nueva has performed in Latin music festivals all around California and has opened for artists such as Ismael Miranda and accompanied artists such as Frankie Ruiz Jr. among others. In the years 2010 and 2012, the band was recognized by the City of Los Angeles with a certificate of recognition as one of the best salsa bands in the state.

Sangre Nueva has brought their music to some of the main Latin clubs around Los Angeles such as the Rumba Room, Mayan, Clifton’s Republic, Conga Room, Catalina Jazz Club, El Floridita, Granada Nightclub, Casino San Manuel, and many others.  After a sabbatical of two years, the group returned in 2017 with more energy than before, new songs in their repertoire, and a completely new look.

Currently the band is working on their upcoming album, which includes salsa, Latin jazz, bolero and some original songs written by members of the band.

Meet the director

Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Juan Karlos is the leader and musical director of Sangre Nueva, as well as an established Latin percussionist in Los Angeles since 2002. He has performed with world-renowned artists such as Cheo Feliciano, Tito Gómez, Andy Montañez, Víctor Manuel, Tony Vega, Johnny Rivera, Tito Rojas, Ednita Nazario, José José, Luis Fonsi, José Feliciano among many others. Juan Karlos has also accompanied Rubén Blades in the special Olympics directed by the maestro Ángel Cuco Peña, and Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Ventura at the Latin Grammy Awards in 2012.  In 2023, Juan Karlos delivered a Latin music performance alongside Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak at Selva Rey events.

He is endorsed by Tocca Percussion and is currently one of the most sought-after Latin percussionists in Southern California.