The instrumentation of this band is based on the traditional "Charanga-orchestra", which implies that strings and flute play the role of the salsa brass section. In the twenties the Charanga music was a very prominent style in Cuba. Some traditional Cuban bands like Orquesta Aragon still play this music. Sticking to the charanga orchestration, Chocolate adds a modern touch to its music using innovative timba-tumbaos in the rhythm section. Timba is a contemporary Cuban salsa genre, with pop influences, in which a powerful sound is acquired by adding drums and keyboard-sounds to the rhythm section. The result of the mix between timba and charanga labels the band by giving it a very danceable and easy listening quality. Closely respecting the tradition of Cuban music, Eric y su Chocolate manages to keep a style of its own.

The songs played by Eric y su Chocolate are mainly written by its musical director, Eric Durrer. The catchy coros and mambos are guaranteed to move your dancing feet. The breaks in the arrangements are elements of surprise.The band has a typical Cuban style and repertoire including Cha cha cha, bolero, salsa, rumba, timba, charanga and danzon.

Eric y su Chocolate consists of ten musicians with experience on the latin music field. Most of them have already been on international stages together with well-known artists. Among the countries and cities where they made tours are New York, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Curaçao, The Benelux, France, Spain, Cyprus, Oman and Germany.

Bataña
Bataña is an Afro-Cuban fusion band that was founded by Eric Durrer in the year 2001. The repertoire of the group consists of songs of the Santeria religion, one of the most practiced religions in Cuba.
The Santeria religion came to Cuba with the Africans belonging to the ethnic group of Yoruba speaking people, who were shipped to Cuba as slaves. These people came originally from the region which was situated in the area around Nigeria. They had to work on the plantations of Cuba as slaves. The Africans who belonged to the same ethnic group were often kept together. In this way they could still communicate in their mother tongue.

Once a week they were allowed to gather on a plantation in order to play their own music. In most cases they were not allowed though to practise any other religion than the Catholic one, practised by their Spanish owners. Since their religion was based on music, it was easy for them to secretly practise their religion under the guise of playing their own music. Whenever they went to church, they pretended praying to Catholic saints, when they were actually praying to their own gods, the orishas. The Yoruba people in this way have managed to keep their own traditions.
This tradition has survived up to this day through many generations, but some changes have occurred due to the Spanish influences and the mixing with other African ethnical groups. This is how the Santeria religion has cristallized to its present form.
During the ceremonies and rituals the holy Bata-drums are played in order to accompany the songs and dances that are performed to honour the orishas. These drums possess the spirit "aña", the soul of the bata-drum. In order to play the holy bata-drums, the players need to get the permission of "aña". Hence the name "Bataña" for the band, which is a result of "bata" and "aña".

The name of the band is thus a symbol of the respect for the tradition and a guarantee that the group will keep the originality of the songs and the rhythms intact. Without damaging the basic values of the Santeria, Bataña funks up the songs by adding drums, bass guitar, keyboard sounds and saxophone, next to the traditional bata-drums. Funk and Latin music melt into a unique global sound, which is the seal of Bataña.
Next to the original Santeria songs, Bataña performs comercial salsa songs in the same funky style. The show is even more complete when dancers join Bataña for a performance. Spiritual songs, Caribbean swing, funky beats and a fat ambient sound guarantee a party for all tastes!

The members of Bataña are:

Guest Appearances
Eric has also performed with these bands and artists:

Cuban Experience
Larry Harlow
Eddie Martínez
Geraldo Rosales
Dalia Negra
Cojunto Irawo
Azucaraba
Corazon Ardiente
Jérôme Goldschmiedt
Alberto Villareal and other members of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba