The Marcel Portilla Band weaves salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, Latin pop, and contemporary elements into a cohesive and modern Latin fusion sound that feels both timeless and fresh.
Designed with versatility and excellence in mind, the band is fully scalable from an intimate duo to 7+ member group with expanded instrumentation.
Marcel Portilla Band FAQs
Q. What style of music do you play?
A. Latin Fusion
Q. How many pieces do you typically play as and what instruments are they?
A. Five piece: guitar, bass, congas, drums, lead vocals.
Q. Do you play in other configurations?
A. The band is scalable. Here are possible configurations:
Duo: guitar, vocals
Gypsy duet: 7-string guitar, vocals
Trio: guitar, bass, vocals
Quartet: guitar, bass, percussion (congas or drum set), vocals
Quintet: guitar, bass, congas and drums, vocals
Sextet: same as Quintet plus keys, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, additional percussion or additional vocalists.
Q. Why did you become a professional musician?
A. Marcel Portilla became a professional musician through a lifelong connection to music that began at home. Spending countless hours with his father–listening to records, signing together, and sharing stories through music–shaped not only his musical foundation but his emotional connection to performance. Those early moments taught Marcel that music is more than sound; it’s a way to connect, express identity, and bring people together. As he grew, that passion evolved into a calling, leading him to pursue music professionally with the goal of creating the same sense of joy, unity, and shared experience for audiences that he first felt alongside his father.
Q. Where are you located?
A. Charlotte, NC.
Q. Do you travel?
A. We are open to traveling all around the USA and internationally.
Q. Why should an event professional book you?
A. Event professionals should book the Marcel Portilla Band because they deliver reliability, flexibility, and an exceptional live experience that consistently exceeds expectations. With years of professional performance experience across festivals, corporate events, weddings, and cultural celebrations, the band understands the logistics, timing, and standards required to support a successful event from start to finish.
One of the band’s greatest strengths is its scalability and versatility. The Marcel Portilla Band can be tailored to fit any event format–ranging from an intimate acoustic or cocktail hour ensemble to a full high-energy production featuring a large band with horns, percussion, and expanded stage presence. This flexibility allows event professionals to match the music perfectly to the venue size, audience demographics, and event goals without sacrificing quality or impact.
Onstage, the band delivers unmatched energy and crowd connection. Their dynamic Latin fusion sound blends authentic rhythms with modern influences, creating an inclusive atmosphere that engages multi-generational and multicultural audiences. Each performance is crafted to keep energy high, dance floors full, and audiences fully immersed–resulting in strong audience response, positive client feedback and repeat bookings.
Most importantly, the Marcel Portilla Band approaches every event as a partnership. They prioritize professionalism, clear communication, adaptability, and collaboration with production teams, ensuring a smooth experience for event planners while delivering memorable moments for attendees. The result is a dependable, high-impact performance that enhances the overall success and reputation of any event.
Q. Do you have the capability of providing your own sound & lights?
A. Yes, we offer full sound production that also includes MC and DJ services.
