Gio Chamba

Guitarist and singer GIO CHAMBA, 28, got turned onto digital Cumbia music a few years ago. and knew right away that he wanted to start making the unique style of music himself. While Cumbia is a traditional style of Latin American folkloric music that blends together African, indigenous and European sounds, Chamba’s highly danceable digital version adds in electronic beats. “I’ve always liked hip-hop and urban music and electronic music, so it kind of just felt natural to mix all of that together,” says the Houston native, who released a self-titled album in 2015. This month, he releases his sophomore effort called Tejas, an 8-track album he worked on with the late Selena’s nephew, producer and DJ Principe Q. While his first album featured mostly voiceless tracks, the new record is more lyric-heavy, less EDM-oriented. A performance at Karbach Brewery on May 21 kicks off a summer tour.
Guitarist and singer GIO CHAMBA, 28, got turned onto digital Cumbia music a few years ago. and knew right away that he wanted to start making the unique style of music himself. While Cumbia is a traditional style of Latin American folkloric music that blends together African, indigenous and European sounds, Chamba’s highly danceable digital version adds in electronic beats. “I’ve always liked hip-hop and urban music and electronic music, so it kind of just felt natural to mix all of that together,” says the Houston native, who released a self-titled album in 2015. This month, he releases his sophomore effort called Tejas, an 8-track album he worked on with the late Selena’s nephew, producer and DJ Principe Q. While his first album featured mostly voiceless tracks, the new record is more lyric-heavy, less EDM-oriented. A performance at Karbach Brewery on May 21 kicks off a summer tour.

Guitarist and singer Gio Chamba, 28, got turned onto digital Cumbia music a few years ago. and knew right away that he wanted to start making the unique style of music himself. While Cumbia is a traditional style of Latin American folkloric music that blends together African, indigenous and European sounds, Chamba’s highly danceable digital version adds in electronic beats. “I’ve always liked hip-hop and urban music and electronic music, so it kind of just felt natural to mix all of that together,” says the Houston native, who released a self-titled album in 2015. This month, he releases his sophomore effort called Tejas, an 8-track album he worked on with the late Selena’s nephew, producer and DJ Principe Q. While his first album featured mostly voiceless tracks, the new record is more lyric-heavy, less EDM-oriented. A performance at Karbach Brewery on May 21 kicks off a summer tour.


Chamba’s eclectic, groovy style echoes the fun sounds of his multicultural music.

Click here to see our full portfolio of Houston's diverse music scene 

Special
Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

What year was your organization launched? 1938

What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.

Keep Reading Show less

Derrick Shore, Tom Mays and Owen Conflenti (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

THE ALWAYS MEMORABLE Alley Theatre ball took on special significance this year, becoming not just a sexy Post Oak Hotel soiree — with “A Buenos Aires Affair” as the theme, nodding to the company’s production of Noël Coward’s Private Lives — but also an emotional sendoff to retiring longtime Managing Director Dean Gladden. It raised $1.3 million to boot.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture

RICE VILLAGE JUST got a whole lot tastier.

Keep Reading Show less
Food