Samy y Sandra Sandoval are a brother and sister musical duo, who are performers of típica or pindin (traditional music from Panama) and
cumbia style music
Music of Panama. They are also known as "Patrones de la Cumbia" (Masters of the Cumbia). and are immensely popular in Panamanian pop culture.
Early years and rise
Samy was born on 15 February 1968 and Sandra was born on 10 April 1970 They were born to Luis and Dolores Sandoval in Monagrillo, in the
Herrera Province of
Panama. At age eight, Samy began to play the accordion, and after listening to songs at home, Sandra began singing. When Samy was eleven, and Sandra just nine, the two began performing on stages in their native
Herrera Province. They began slowly acquiring popularity in other Panamanian provinces such as
Coclé,
Chiriquí,
Veraguas and
Los Santos. By age eleven, Samy entered and won many music and talent contests, though found it difficult to gain popularity due to the limited number of fans of
típica music. The duo then made several appearances on channels such as RTVE, Channel 11, in order to reach a larger fan base. At age fifteen, Samy and Sandra, age thirteen, began to travel with their band, "Ritmo Montañero". They soon became very popular with young, middle class audiences; their popularity grew to the point of surpassing many other típica stars. Their rise in popularity was deemed an artistic evolution and so influential in gaining a fan base, that Samy and Sandra Sandoval are often credited as having been the first to expose the general public to musica típica, pindin or typical folk
music of Panama. Critics said the duo was comparable only to that of the legendaries: Victorio Vergara Batista, Dorindo Cardenas, Osvaldo Ayala, Toby Munoz, Ying Carrizo, Ulpiano Vergara, Alfredo Escudero and many others who have contributed and paved the way of this genre of music. What took these típica and
cumbia Artists years to achieve with lengthy efforts in marketing and skilled timing, in capturing general audiences, took the Sandoval duo only three years, to dominate the same audiences, while gaining and reaching a much larger audience base. Their rise in popularity was attributed to Sandra's voice, her sensual dance movements, her enthusiasm in inviting audiences to participate while performing live, as well as, Samy's skill in playing the accordion.
Musical hits
Their many hits include
Brindemos por lo nuestro (Toast to Ourselves), La mujer superficial (Superficial Woman), La gallina fina (The Fine Chicken), written by Cristian Garcia, Oiga el viejo pa´ jodé and
Lo que no da se deja (What is left, doesn't Give). In 1994, at the Festival "Encuentro de Acordeones" they were a huge hit with the song La Gallina Fina, which they also performed in the movie
The Tailor of Panama in 2001. Their more recent hits include, "La Raspadura" (The Scrape); they have also released 15 albums, sold more than 30,000 records and have a platinum album. They also recorded a duet with
Gilberto Santa Rosa who considered some of the best performers of the genre
típica Panamanian. They have also starred in their own music videos (which can be viewed on weekends, at night on musical channel
Mas 23 (a.k.a. +23). One of their major concerts was
Evolucion, where Sandra had said "
típica music has finally come of age." This concert has been released as a CD and as a DVD.
Other contributions
They made countless guest appearances on national networks, and their life stories have been the topic and report of television shows such as
Los compadres, Aires de mi tierra, Hecho en Panamá and
De Mujeres. They also had a small regular role in a television comedy called
Los Vergaras. Recently, they have appeared on the program, Sábado Gigante, sindicated by
Univisión television, and in el Festival de la Calle 8 Sandra's influence in Panamanian culture has left a mark, as well. A favourite phrase of Sandra's "No hay mujer fea, sino mujer sin plata” (There are no ugly women, only women without money) is now an ever popular phrase amongst many Panamanians. For Las fiestas del rey Momo a festival celebrated for four consecutive days before Ash Wednesday throughout Panama, Samy and Sandra normally make multiple appearances, on the same day, throughout Panama. They are indispensable Entertainers during annual Carnivals and Panama's annual
Teletón. They have performed throughout the
U.S.A.,
Dominican Republic, and gained noticeable attention in Western Europe with their concerts in
Belgium and
the Netherlands, performing to audiences of more than 70,000 in attendance. They also had the honour of performing for the late prince of Monaco before his death. They have also released a book titled
Samy and Sandra, the Story written by Sergio Pérez Saavedra, and a DVD by the same title. It was so well received by fans that a special fanclub was created based on both the book and DVD Samy and Sandra, the Story. They appear in the movie
The Tailor of Panama, while performing the hit "La gallina fina". The movie helped to give Samy and Sandra, and the song, "La gallina fina", wider recognition in English speaking audiences.
Personal lives
Both Samy and Sandra have completed formal educations. Samy completed his studies in Civil Engineering, though has never practiced in the field, as time has never permitted him. Samy met his wife Iraida at school, while both were studying Civil Engineering. They were married after dating for five years, and on 14 February, 2009, they celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary. The have two sons, ages twelve and eight. Sandra completed her education in Law and had practised as an Attorney, intermittingly, over several years. She has recently decided to devote her time entirely to entertaining and her family. In 2008, on 20 of February, Sandra gave birth to her first child, a boy, who she named, Luis Esteban.
References
Category:Panamanian musical groups
Category:Sibling duos
Category:1990s music groups
Category:2000s music groups
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