about us
Klan Destino Suiza (KDS) is a dynamic 12-member Latin music band, directed by Miguel Maita since 2018. Our repertoire is energized by genres such as salsa and Latin jazz, while also the lively rhythms of chachachá, son, bolero, cumbia, bachata, merengue, and Latin pop. With members from Cuba,Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Argentina and Venezuela, we infuse an international flavor into our performances, featuring unique arrangements crafted specifically for the Band. This diversity not only enriches our music but also enhances its role as a means of communication.
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FLOR BALBIS
Flor Balbis, an Argentine singer based in Basel, grew up surrounded by tangos, candombes, and South American rhythms that shaped her musical path. She studied at the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and the Maastricht Conservatory (Netherlands), where she specialized in vocal jazz. Her singing combines the richness of jazz with the strength of her Latin American roots. With a warm and expressive voice, she brings to Klan Destino the strength of her roots and the freshness of her international career.
MIGUEL MAITA
Born in Barcelona, Venezuela, Miguel Maita was captivated by music's power to unite people. He founded the orchestra Klandestino Suiza, a unique project that fuses various sounds and rhythms. With over 10 years of experience, he has led the orchestra to international stages, allowing him to grow as an artist and connect with diverse audiences and cultures. Guided by his passion for music and commitment to his orchestra, Maita continues to lead Klandestino Suiza, aiming to create inspiring music and share the spirit of his homeland across the globe
MITCH MÉNDEZ
Mitch Méndez, bassist for Klandestino, is a Venezuelan musician trained in classical double bass at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory in Caracas and the Musikhochschule in Münster, Germany. His passion for genres such as salsa, tango, rock, pop, and Latin jazz, along with his solid technique and versatility, provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for Klan Destino, contributing to their growing success on stages around the world.
YOJAN BALANQUET REYES
Yojan Balanquet Reyes is a gifted percussionist, composer, and arranger, born in Havana to a family of musicians. He received early training from his grandfather and at music school. While a multi-talented artist—also playing piano, guitar, clarinet, and singing—his main passion is percussion. He started playing in his grandfather's ensemble at age 15 and has since worked continuously in countless groups as a percussionist, singer, arranger, and director.
He demonstrated his exceptional talent by winning second place in the Bongo category at the international Fiesta del Tambor in Havana in both 2019 and 2020. Yojan has a perfect command of Cuban rhythms (Son, Salsa, Timba, Bolero), Jazz, and other Latin American styles, demonstrating his powerful passion for music
JORGE LEYSAN
Born in Havana, Cuba, Jorge Leysan (Coco) discovered his passion for traditional rhythms and percussion at the age of 12. He studied at the Félix Varela Institute in Havana, where he specialized in percussion and graduated in 2007. Throughout his career, he has performed with various groups such as Son o Salsa, La Revambaramba, and Sonora Caliente, and participated in shows at Hotel Capri and Hotel Parisienne. His style blends the richness of Afro-Cuban rhythms with modern influences, remaining faithful to his main instrument, the congas.
Since 2010, he has been based in Switzerland, where he continues to perform as a percussionist in projects spanning Cuban music, salsa, jazz, and contemporary fusions. In Klan Destino, he plays the bongos and tambora.
CHRISTOPH THÜRING
Christoph Thüring
Christoph Thüring began his musical career in Basel as a drummer in a Fasnacht clique, but soon discovered his passion for Latin music. This interest led him to Cuba, where he learned to play the tumbadora, and later to further his training in Switzerland alongside renowned percussionists, including Yarol de Abreu Robles, percussionist for Chucho Valdés. Christoph is currently a member of the Klandestino, where he plays percussion and tumbadora. His journey has been a constant search for new sounds and rhythms, with the conviction that Latin music has a unique power to connect and celebrate.
Mark Frank
Trompettiste et professeur de musique dans la Région des Trois frontières, Marko Frank se produit dans plusieurs ensembles. Entre bigband et combo de jazz, il est à l’aise dans différents styles. Depuis 2024, il est membre de Klan Destino.
LEONARDO ROJAS
Born in Colombia, he is a saxophonist whose musical universe ranges from classical music to jazz and world music. He began his musical studies at the National University of Colombia before continuing his training at the Strasbourg Conservatory and the Strasbourg Academy of Music in France. Throughout his career, he has performed with the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra at the Jardin des Deux Rives. Alongside his work as a performer, Leonardo teaches saxophone at the Mulhouse Conservatory and the Hésingue School of Music. Based in the Grand Est region of France, he continues to explore different musical traditions and collaborate with various ensembles, bringing together diverse influences and styles through his playing.
Address
Im Letten 96, 4123 Allschwill, Switzerland
Phone
+41 76 376 51 15
