Here is the story of Los Tinos!

With Maria, the Australian, on vocals, Gianfranco, the Uruguayan, on saxophone and piano, Pierre, the Portuguese, on guitar, Javier, the Costarican, on bass and Xavier, the Spaniard, on drums, they represent a typically Parisian group!

21 October 2003. Gianfranco, Javier, Pierre and Xavier run into each other at a concert by the pianist, Carla Bley, at New Morning in Paris. A few weeks later, during one of their first rehearsals at the Luna Rossa studios, in the 13th arrondisement of the capital, Maria decides that she does not want to be only a groupie but in fact the singer of the group. The boys are thrilled and the band sets off for several months of private rehearsals.

The group at first tries their hand at jazz standards, but relatively quickly branch out into other domains: a minimalist samba, some honest rock, an underground bolero, a bossa with a hint of sadness, a well-greased funk etc... Their repertoire is completed with their original compositions. The songs performed in English, Spanish or French, by Maria and the boys.

June 2004 : Etienne the trumpetist joins the group for several months and Los Tinos make their first public debut… However, this is only the beginning…..

November 2004. The group secures a monthly gig at the Folies du Luxembourg, a cafe located in the Latin quarter… The Tino public fills this small cafe to almost bursting at each concert.

April 2005. ‘Unplugged’ concert at the Pomme d’Eve, an underground medieval bar located in the Latin quarter. This intimate atmosphere is a popular choice. One year later, Los Tinos choose this location to record their live discs.

July 2005. Los Tinos board the Kiosque Flottant, one of the musical boats of the quai de la Gare, located at the foot of the Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand, and begin a series of concerts. Here once again a fantastic atmosphere under the guidance of the presidents of the Tinos fan club, Aurelie and Dorothée.

21 June 2006. Los Tinos perform their farewell gig to their beloved public on the corner of the rue de l'Abbé-de-l'Epée, near the Luxembourg gardens.


Here are some audio and visual souvenirs of these musical moments.