I Will Survive

– “I Will Survive” – A Charanga-Jazz Encounter

In the late 1990’s, one of the more ambitious projects I took on was producing an album by an all-female charanga band called Pasión. The group was co-led by flautist Connie Grossman and violinist Betsy Hill, both talented musicians who brought leadership and vision to the ensemble. The rest of the band was equally impressive—each musician accomplished in her own right.

Our lead vocalist, Deborah Resto, delivered a polished and thoroughly professional performance that elevated the entire project. The arrangements stayed true to the charanga tradition, while blending in touches of jazz, pop, and bolero—giving the music a fresh, contemporary edge.

We recorded the album in a tiny basement studio in Brooklyn. Space was so limited that we had to record one instrument at a time, carefully layering each track until everything was just right. It was meticulous work, but the results spoke for themselves.

One of the standout recordings was a charanga-style rendition of I Will Survive—a bold and creative take on the classic made famous by Gloria Gaynor.

Listen below.