CASCABEL was formed in 1990 and came from Jorge's wanting to break away from the relatively strict boundaries of traditional Mariachi, and focus on the smooth styling of Latin and Gypsy music.
Jorge Lopez & Cascabel express Latin music styles in a manner consistent with the meaning of its name. Cascabel has several meanings; it is a rattlesnake found in the Central American badlands, a chili pepper and a child's musical rattle. Like its diverse meaning, Cascabel plays with intensity and sensitivity. The sound is all at once fresh and familiar adding up to a captivating musical experience.
Jorge Lopez & CASCABEL perform all over Ontario and have been a major attraction at various festivals in places such as Chinatown, Harbourfront, the Canadian National Exhibition and the Royal Ontario Museum. They were also one of the headline acts at Kempenfest, the largest festival of its kind which takes place yearly in Barrie, Ontario. They have appeared on CBC Radio and CITY TV's Breakfast Television. Their first self-titled CD has enjoyed brisk sales and airplay on CBC, CHAY-FM and CIUT. Finally, they won one of two "Best of Festival" awards at the Barrie Jazz and Blues festival in 1999.