An Evening with Agua Pura

Agua Pura is a San Francisco-based, 10-piece all-femme and queer salsa band.Founded by conguera and vocalist Rebecca Rodríguez, the ensemble plays a dynamic mix of salsa dura, timba, cumbia, and traditional Cuban music. They are celebrated for creating a safe space for diverse musicians and elevating female talent in the Bay Area Latin music scene.

Origins and Formation

Bandleader Rebecca Rodríguez, a first-generation Colombian-American, grew up in Monrovia, California, and developed a deep passion for Afro-Latin percussion while playing in the drum line and studying at San Francisco State University’s Afro-Cuban Ensemble. After repeatedly finding herself the only woman at local salsa gigs, she took matters into her own hands. She founded Agua Pura by pulling together musicians from the Bay Area’s diverse creative community—approaching everyone from skilled conservatory players to talented street musicians.

Musical Style and Mission

Drawing inspiration from legendary male-dominated salsa acts like the Fania All-Stars and El Gran Combo, Agua Pura set out to carve a vibrant, percussion and brass-driven space for female and queer musicians. Their sound features deep Afro-Latinx roots and highly flexible musicians, allowing percussionists to easily switch between timbales, congas, and bongos. Their mission remains deeply rooted in community, providing a platform where female and queer artists can stretch their improvisational wings and reconnect with their ancestry.

Rise to Prominence

Agua Pura exploded onto the Bay Area’s live music scene by securing consistent gigs and residencies at well-known local venues, including Radio Habana, Madrone Art Bar, and The Rite Spot. They became a staple of major regional celebrations, performing regularly at the San Francisco Carnaval, the San Francisco International Arts Festival (SFIAF), and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. The band actively releases original tracks alongside their traditional covers and has been featured on local radio broadcasts like KXSF.