Joan Soriano

ALBUMS

Born in the rural countryside near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Joan Soriano fashioned his first guitar from a tin can and fishing line and has never looked back. Soriano plays steel string bachata with equal parts romance and grit. The Afro-infused rhythm that permeates his music has made him a favorite among dancers.

As a boy Joan received little formal education. The seventh of 15 children, Joan left school to help his father farm the family's land. But Joan’s destiny was for something else. Forming a band with his young brothers and sisters, he began to perform at neighborhood events. Nicknamed “Los Candes” (after their father Candelario) the band became a local sensation. At age 13 Joan hitched a ride to Santo Domingo and went on to nurture his talent working with some of the island’s greatest bachata stars.

Bachata is essential to Dominican culture and draws upon a variety of influences from Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. A practitioner of palo and gaga, Joan blends Afro-Dominican sacred traditions with bachata, imparting his music with down to earth spirit and dance-ability. Joan preserves bachata’s roots and expands on them. He is a rare combination of new and authentic.

Joan is the star of Adam Taub’s new documentary, The Duke of Bachata. He also was featured in Alex Wolfe’s documentary, Santo Domingo Blues, and is on The Rough Guide’s Bachata compilation. Joan has performed throughout North America and Europe. In September 2010 he celebrated his first international release.

Joan's new album, El Duque de la Bachata, was recorded live in a Santo Domingo studio by iASO producer, Benjamin de Menil. The natural musicality of live sound is central to iASO’s aesthetic.

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iASO Records October 10, 2013

If you'd like to have Joan perform in Atlanta please put us in contact with a local promoter/organizer

Celia Lopez October 6, 2013

Can he please come to Atlanta Ga

Melissa and John May 23, 2013

Saw Joan in Oakland last night, amazing performance! Unfortunately I was unable to purchase a tshirt at the time, is there somewhere I can order two? The guy at the table said I could order from this website but I don't see the option:)

Melissa and John Smith April 5, 2013

We in the San Francisco bay area would really love to see Joan Soriano come back, my husband and I became big fans over the last year so we missed his few appearances here in the bay area, please come back, we will be there for sure!!! Thank you in advance.

P.S. We really appreciated his song video recorded in the cave. It was a beautiful performance.

mano antonin August 10, 2012

Me gusta...

old folkie August 5, 2012

Heard you last night in Wisconsin….. Instant Fans!

joe sorbello July 30, 2012

Thanks for great sets at the Lowell folk fest, i came down from Maine to see you.

ACM July 21, 2012

Hands down one of the top Bachata Performers in the World!

mario larenas ovalle July 21, 2012

de chile visita el festival de viña del mar estamos esperando

NAHIMA July 11, 2012

SORIANO LA BANDA Y SU FAMILIA SON LAS MEJORESSSS QUE YO CONOSCO DE LA MUSICA DE DOMINICANA LE QUIEREN MUCHOOOOOOOO NAHIMA AUTHEN CHICAAAAA