One of Incanto’s popular weekly acts is ‘Tongo’, a very talented musician who sings in both English and Spanish and plays his own handmade instruments. A former firefighter hailing from Guadalajara, he is currently a local instructor with the Gedisa Guardavidas organization as a private contractor and balances his time between teaching life-saving techniques to fire/rescue personnel and playing music.
Starting at a very young age, Tongo developed an interest in music and surrounded himself with friends who were also musicians. Influenced by Chilean and other Latin groups, he learned to play and sing by emulating them, later joining friends playing in several different bands over the years. He has since expanded his repertoire to include American pop/classics. Tongo also honed his woodworking talents and started making and selling his own flutes. His interest in drums followed and he began handcrafting and playing drums as well, and writing his own music.
“ I love music, and it makes me happy to play. I am so glad the people also enjoy it” – Tongo
Tongo’s affiliation with Incanto began about a year ago at an Open Mic night, as many others have. After a successful solo debut and collaborations with other local musicians establishing himself as a stand-out talent, owner Tracy Parks gave him his own weekly show at Incanto on Tuesdays at 5pm in the piano bar. Tongo can also be seen during the high season playing mornings on Incanto’s riverside terrace during breakfast/brunch which resumes in October, and as a member of the popular band ‘La Ruta’, as well as a solo act at several other local venues.
Singer-songwriter Joby Hernandez’s popularity continues to grow as he plays and sings familiar Latin favorites, originals, and covers on acoustic guitar. Joby is a former minister who comes from a very religious and musical family where his interest in music first began.
Having only been performing publicly for about three years, Joby left the church to pursue his music full-time after relocating to Puerto Vallarta several years ago. He too started playing locally by attending an Open Mic night at Incanto last year. From there, he has quickly developed his skills to include writing music and singing in both English and Spanish. He also performs intermittently with ‘The Tenors’, a local singing group that performs at the La Isla mall and other venues.
“When I sing, I enter my own little world and I am so happy. I enjoy sharing my music with others who also appreciate it” – Joby Hernandez
Known for his affable personality and perpetual smile, Joby is also now a sound tech in training and co-host of Open Mic with Incanto owner Tracy Parks on Thursdays at 7:30pm. He was also recently cast in the upcoming stage production of ‘Naked Boys Singing’ opening Oct. 30, 2018, at Incanto. Joby is also a private online business owner with his older brother and is currently working on a CD to be released sometime in the near future. See Joby in the piano bar weekly on Wednesdays at 5pm and mornings on the riverside terrace, often playing with Tongo, resuming in October.