by Drago Bonacich
Miami-based Latin rock band Bacilos was formed in the mid-'90s by three students from the University of Miami. Colombian singer/songwriter and guitarist Jorge Villamizar, Brazilian bassist André Lopes, and Puerto Rican percussionist José Javier Freire independently released Madera in 1999. They signed to WEA in February of 2000, making a self-titled debut album that same year. The album proved successful and scored the band a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Bacilos followed the success of its debut album for WEA with Caraluna, released in 2002. In addition, Villamizar's compositions have been recorded by Latin artists such as Alejandra Guzmán and Fernando Osorio.
Miami-based Latin rock band Bacilos was formed in the mid-'90s by three students from the University of Miami. Colombian singer/songwriter and guitarist Jorge Villamizar, Brazilian bassist André Lopes, and Puerto Rican percussionist José Javier Freire independently released Madera in 1999. They signed to WEA in February of 2000, making a self-titled debut album that same year. The album proved successful and scored the band a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Bacilos followed the success of its debut album for WEA with Caraluna, released in 2002. In addition, Villamizar's compositions have been recorded by Latin artists such as Alejandra Guzmán and Fernando Osorio.
