An original plena project of Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
About Plena
Plena is traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music born in the late part of the 19th century in the town of Ponce, located in the southern part of the island. This popular music genre has been used both as a way of celebration, and as a tool to protest against the local and federal government for critical issues affecting one of the world’s oldest colonies.
About Los Pleneros de Don Segundo
Born at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC), Los Pleneros de Don Segundo have been playing original plena in Chicago since 2016, when SRBCC was invited to create an original song for Puerto Rican luminaries Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Antonio Martorell at that year’s Raíces Gala, presented by the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.
Since then, the group has evolved to be Chicago’s most sought-after plena group due its unwavering commitment to the advancement of the genre with original compositions and arrangements.
Members include lead singer/composer Chris Suárez, Michael Rodriguez (güiro, musical direction), percussionists José Natal (tumbador), Chris Orengo (punteador), and Quincy Raggs (requinto).
To hire Los Pleneros de Don Segundo and contribute to the development of original plena in Chicago, contact us at info@srbcc.org (anytime) or call us at 773-698-6004 (weekdays 10 am to 6:30 pm).