EL MAN MAN

Juan Formell, leader of salsa-pop orchestra Los Van Van, is widely considered the most prolific composer of contemporary Cuban music, having written most of the music for the celebrated group’s 28 albums over three decades.

In all that time, he has never strayed from his original goal: “nueva musica bailable”--new dancing music.

“That’s what all my music has been about for all these years: dance music,” said Formell, 56, during a quick phone interview from a hotel room in Miami, where he is preparing for 15-date U.S. tour that includes performances Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl for the Playboy Jazz Festival and Monday at the Galaxy Concert Theatre in Santa Ana.

The group’s latest album, “Esto Te Pone la Cabeza Mala” (Spanish for, roughly, “This will mess with your head”), was recorded in the band’s studio and in Havana’s famed dance hall La Tropical and released by Spain’s EMI-ODEON label.

Later this year Rounder Records will issue a 30-year compilation of Los Van Van’s hits, “Los 30 Anos de Los Van Van.”

Formell and a group of Cuban promoters recently started another group as a side project, Team Cuba, already being touted by the industry and aficionados as the dream team orchestra of Cuban salsa. The all-star team includes members of La Charanga Habanera, NG La Banda, Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son, Isaac Delgado and El Medico de La Salsa, with Formell as conductor.

Though Formell and Los Van Van have wanted to play in Miami since first being admitted to the U.S. as cultural envoys three years ago, the 16-man orchestra will again bypass Florida because of anti-Castro sentiment among many Cuban expatriates and Cuban Americans living there.

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“It’s too bad for the Cubans in Miami,” Formell said, “Cubans know how to dance to my music the best because it’s their music too.”

Formell, pianist Cesar Pedroso, violinist Gerardo Miro and percussionist and giro player Julio Norana formed Los Van Van in 1969. Three years later, singer Pedro Calvo joined. The five core members have played with various combinations of musicians over the years with the Van Van brand of salsa-pop fusion.

The orchestra consists of flutes, violins, trombone, trumpet, piano, percussion and the Cuban giro (a dried calabash with parallel grooves scraped with a stick). But Formell also plugged in his bass, added electric guitar and a drum kit, combining 18th century Afro-Cuban tradition with 20th century pop music to integrate his early affinity for the music of the Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Formell often writes narratives about Cuban ways of life, the country’s history and humor in relationships.

“It’s not social or political,” he said. “The words are just about daily life . . . how good life is, nothing more.”

* Juan Formell & Los Van Van perform Monday at the Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd. Santa Ana. 8 p.m. $22.50. (714) 957-0600.