Bacilos

Bacilos is a Latin pop group that formed in 1997, featuring Jorge Villamizar (Colombian singer and guitarist), André Lopes (Brazilian bassist), and José Javier Freire (Puerto Rican percussionist). The band originated while its members were students at the University of Miami, starting by playing at student bars, parties, and eventually local Miami venues. Their self-titled debut album, “Bacilos,” released in May 2000 under Warner Music Group, garnered two Latin Grammy Award nominations and achieved RIAA gold certification in Colombia. This early success set the foundation for their career, with their music being described as a fusion of Caribbean rhythms, South American folklore, pop melodies, and rock influences. The band’s name, derived from “Bacilos Búlgaros,” is a literal translation of bacilli and a phonetic play on the Spanish word “vacilón,” meaning a good time, reflecting their accessible and engaging musical style.

In July 2002, Bacilos released “Caraluna,” an album that featured textured arrangements, earning a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album and a Latin Grammy for Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2003. The single “Caraluna” reached number 16 on the Hot Latin Charts, while “Mi Primer Millón,” a track about navigating the music industry, reached number 18 and won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song. Their 2004 album, “Sin Vergüenza,” produced in Brazil and Miami, continued their success, with its lead single “Pasos de Gigante” reaching number 8 on the Hot Latin singles charts in November 2004 and securing number 1 in Argentina and number 2 in Chile. This album also received a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album. In July 2005, Bacilos made a notable appearance on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” further expanding their reach.

After a hiatus during which Jorge Villamizar pursued a solo career, Bacilos reunited in October 2017. Following their reunion, they released the song “Por Hacerme el Bueno” and their fourth studio album, “¿Donde Nos Quedamos?” in August 2018. Their fifth studio album, “Abecedario,” released in April 2021, included collaborations such as re-recorded versions of “Caraluna” with Carlos Vives and “Tabaco y Chanel” with Morat. José Javier Freire departed from the group in 2021, with the band continuing as a duo. In May 2024, Bacilos released “Pequeños Romances,” a collection that revisited Villamizar’s earlier compositions and solo work, demonstrating their ongoing evolution and adaptability in the Latin music scene.