David Oquendo, vocalist and music director of Raices Habaneras, founded his ensemble in order to preserve the pure form and essence of Cuban rhythms. The group's sultry and authentic sound has since been featured on television (HBO's Oz, the PBS documentary the Cuban Americans), on television (on Sabado al Medio Dia and Al Despertar), and on radio (WBAI and WADO, among others). Raices Habaneras has performed live at New York's Town Hall, at the famous Beacon Theater, and at an uninterrupted series of weekly performances, Domingos de la Rumba ("Rumba Sundays"), at La Esquina Habanera in Union City, NJ. Members of the group include David Oquendo, music director, singer; Vicente Sanchez, percussion; Ogduardo Diaz "Roman," percussion; Pedro Pablo Martinez, singer, percussion; Felix Insua "Pupi,' dancer; Rita Macias, dancer; Pedro Domech, singer, dancer; Xiomara Rodriguez, dancer; Gene Golden, percussion; Ricky Salas, singer, percussion; Carlos Cordova, singer, percussion; Clemente Medina, percussion; Jose Real "El Chino," singer; and Frank Bell, dancer, percussion.