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Gloria Estefan: Tiny Desk Concert
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- Published on Apr 17, 2026
- This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an 'El Tiny' takeover.
Anamaria Sayre | October 13, 2025
As Gloria Estefan embarks on a 50-year retrospective of her career, this Tiny Desk takes on the same tone, heart and air of reflection. After all, the pioneering vision, authentic insistence and undeniably captivating rhythms of Estefan created the path for Spanish-language music to thrive in the U.S.
In the 1980s, Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine proved to a broader audience that Latin American sounds are so magnetic and our souls so on fire that the rhythm at some point did get everyone. At the Tiny Desk, their level of artistic savvy shines brighter than ever. In spotlighting Cuban percussion and the gorgeously refined vocal acumen of the hailed pop star, this set gives space for the mountainous musicianship of forever hits and Latino cultural staples like "Rhythm is Gonna Get You" and "Conga."
This joyous performance is another example of what many of us have always known to be true: Gloria Estefan transcends borders, unites communities and gets people on the dance floor.
SET LIST
"Rhythm is Gonna Get You"
"Raíces"
"Mi Tierra"
"Chirriqui Chirri"
"La Vecina (No Sé Na')"
"Wrapped"
"Conga"
MUSICIANS
Gloria Estefan: vocals
Clay Ostwald: keys, music director
Javier Concepcion Jr.: keys, assistant music director
Adrian Gines: drums
Edwin Bonilla: percussion
Yeismel Grandal: percussion
Yorgis Goiricelaya: bass
Lindsey Blair: guitar
Julio Martinez: tres
Osvaldo Fleites: trumpet, percussion
Teddy Mulet: trumpet, percussion
Robbie Elias: background vocals
Claudia Lopez: background vocals
Leesa Richards: background vocals
Emilio Estefan: conga
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Production Assistants: Dhanika Pineda, Dora Levite
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Team: Josh Newell, Ashley Pointer
Series Editor: Lars Gotrich
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Executive Director: Sonali Mehta
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
#nprmusic #tinydesk #gloriaestefan
Support for NPR Music and El Tiny comes from Moises. Powerful AI tools created by musicians, for musicians. Learn more at Moises.AI 
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Thank you for publishing this on the very day that the City of Miami Beach named a street “Gloria Estefan Way” in her honor!!!
That's awesome! ❤
Really ? Where ?
Nice!
🎉 Gloria you sound the same as my 90s days!!! Always love 💗 your music!!!
Indeed a beautiful way to honor her and the culture she represents, thank you for pointing it out ♥
I’ve worked with this beautiful woman for 47 years, we were both practically kids. The joy has been a constant over all the years while the music has changed and I’ve grown to understand it more personally. She and the Sound Machine are the perfect guest for Tiny Desk; her generosity of spirit belongs in everyone’s home, up close and personal. Gloria and Emilio are living legends, and I’m so proud and glad they make Miami their home.
May I interview about your encounters on my radio show?
@quivari25 Have I worked with you on a radio show? I’d be happy to discuss it if so.
@artysanmobiledo you have a way to email you?
Sure you did.
@EchoEcho-q4r. There’s always one…
ESE ES MI TÍO!!!!! My uncle is the first trumpet! With the red glasses! He has been working alongside Gloria and part of the Miami Sound Machine for decades now. He was even part of the Broadway show Get On Our Feet and has worked with her on so many songs, as well as worked with so many other artists!! I’m so proud of all his work and influence in the music that I listen to daily ❤️❤️❤️ Bien contenta de ti Tío Teddy!
Que orgullo tener parte de la familia en esa banda !! abrazo grande
Felicidades Tío Teddy y familia! 🎉
Teddy Mulet is your uncle?! I know you already know this, but that man is probably one of the greatest horn players of the last 50 years. I mean, just a phenomenal musician all around. I'm almost positive he's done most, if not all of the arrangement for the band since the late 80s
I'm sure you're proud! I've grown up on these LEGENDS! Gloria's light and energy ALWAYS makes me SMILE! 😊❤
That’s awesome! What an honor to play with her.
I love how she says “we, we, we” - that’s the mark of a truly selfless musician.
My Dad loved Gloria Estefan. He thought her voice was so distinct. This makes me miss my Dad.
Gloria is such an icon! she opened the doors for Latin artists in the US market and it's so awesome to see her at El Tiny killing it!!
She is the reason why I love Latin music too. ❤ Her and her band!!
Like Camila Cabello for example .
how many artists at 68 years old can deliver a live performance like this?? she doesn't get enough credit for what she does and has brought to the world of music.
Her Smokey Robinson George Clinton .
Their in their 80s 😂 wild
There are many 68 year old doing music. You acting like she 90.
She gets plenty of well deserved credit. She's one of the most recognized Latin AND pop singers of all time. For years she was a household name. Gloria's not hurting for attention.
Patti LaBelle at 82 The Clark Sister from 64 to 75 years old so 68 is not that old
0:12 | Rhythm is gonna get you
4:50 | Raíces
9:20 | Mi tierra
12:40 | Chirriqui Chirri
16:10 | La Vecina (No sé na')
20:45 | Hoy (Wrapped)
26:53 | Conga
Thxs
Faltó "Con los años que me quedan"
@juliocabrera3053definitivamente debió cantar un bolero tan bonito
The selection was perfection!
Me quedé co las ganas de wepa !!!!!!!
Sept of 1985, I left northern Maine to start college at the University of Miami. I arrived to my dorm in Coral Gables, got my few belongings up to my room on the top floor of Mahoney Hall, and plugged in my boom box. When I turned it on, the very first notes I heard were the first notes of this new exciting song I'd never heard: Conga. I thought, "I'm gonna like it here." And I did. Very much. Thanks, Gloria and company for all the music. ❤
Many people has things to say about her and Emilio. But truth to be told: she is the absolute pioneer for Latinas and Latinos in North America music business. She keeps her halo. She was last week here in Spain (Madrid) and made an absolute masterpiece of a concert.
Thank you, Tiny Desk for keeping music alive (played by people) and bringing us these great artists who still have so much to say.
Their legend will last longer than AI.
La latina que realmente abrió las puertas, grande gloria . Estados Unidos no conocería el flow latino sin artistas como Gloria stefan que abrieron el camino s
uf que haríamos sin el "flow latino" lol
@xela_guy Para empezar, no estarías aquí comentando
@xela_guy los blanquitos no tendrian de donde robar cultura entonces
@PincheTan Como viviría sin esta hermosa experiencia de comentar aquí
a tu comentario le hace falta al menos como unos 60 años de historia de la música latina.
Como diría el gran Benito Martínez Ocasio, “tÚ LlEgAsTe AhOrA FuĚ!?”
I never clicked on a new upload so quickly!!!
lol me neither
Same
LEGENDS deserve my fastest CLICK 😂 always lurrvvvvd her... still do... even more so now 😍
Me neither! I clicked as soon as I saw her name!
same hahaha
Gloria Esteban and the Miami Sound Machine was my 1st cassette tape given on my 10th birthday.
You still have that cassette tape?
Jeez is that the largest band ever assembled at Tiny Desk? Amazing!
I was driving with my daughter to work and burst into immense tears when she started singing in Spanish! So moving and brought up so much pride and nostalgia! She's getting better with age. And now that I live in Miami, I get it!!! Thanks for keeping the music alive!
I love that for you!!! She definitely brings so many memories back of fun time in my life.
Your daughter was singing in Spanish, has she ever done that before? Lol
Same
She is the First Lady of Miami - elegance, style, and legend. She’s the female GOAT of Latin music
⬆️⬆️⬆️
Really? First Lady of corruption, you mean?
@Lorena-tz3uw😮
She is indeed the First Lady of Miami. She is full of elegance, royalty, and cheer!
There's a load of female GOATS before her from Latin American countries and Spain.
Gracias por reconocer a Perú, Gloria. Te queremos mucho ❤
Me encanta Gloria Estefan. Whether you speak Spanish or not when she sings in Spanish it cuts to your very soul. Getting to hear her sing "Mi Tierra," which has to be up there as one of the best songs of all time, in this context is absolutely incredible, wish she had done the whole thing.
These must be the shortest 30 minutes in all of Tiny Desk!
As a young child, I was riding the car with my dad, listening to the radio. I look out the side window and see the sun setting. I start pleading with him, " Please dad, we have to get to home. The sun is almost down. It's coming for me." My confused father asks, "What's coming for you, mija?" I whisper so it can't hear me, "The Rhythm". My amused father asks me what I think a rhythm is. " The lady on the radio said the rhythm is going to get me tonight, and it's almost night time. I think it's some kind of boogeyman or something, but I don't want to stick around here and find out." My dad had to pull over he was laughing so hard.
It's hilarious to hear Gloria herself confirm that the Rhythm is in fact a boogieman.
I don't trust anyone that does not love her music 😅🎉❤
As a Venezuelan, I cannot hear Mi Tierra without crying...irony!
Solidaridad total con Uds., hermanos
x 2(Y soy mexicano)
Soy cubana
Mi Tierra must be an emotional song for both Gloria and the many artists who have played in her band. It took me awhile to appreciate how much it means to listeners who’ve left the home of their childhood memories.
X2😢
I, half Dutch, Half Turkish dreamy 13 year old girl living in Istanbul, I remember going to Scheveningen in the Netherlands knowing Gloria had been there, sadly in a wheelchair, but she had been there. I remember walking up and down the sea side promenade, feeling her energy. I was a fan without ever knowing I was a fan up until that moment. I listened to her songs and she was and IS this megastar. Her donating millions into medical research after her accident, that says so much about her true self. Thank you Gloria!
I was named after her. All my family call me Estefan...❤❤❤
Closing with Conga after such a performance shows how much savvy and stamina she has as an artist. 50 years! Keep making us dance and listen, Gloria
Increíble verla tan vigente después de años, mas lindo si hablara en español, teniendo en cuenta que celebramos el mes de la latinidad.
asi deberia ser :(
El mes de la hispanidad el mes de la latinidad no existe.
De acuerdo le faltó hablar todo en español
Cuando pensaba que no podía ponerse mejor el Tiny: El Tiny con Gloria Estefan
Just one more big tour. We’re begging you Gloria. Reform the Miami Sound Machine and us all the chance to see you one more time.
1:42 nah how does her band sound soooo smooth in there? Best sounding set they’ve ever had on here, that band is TIGHT!
As a cuban american I am so grateful to Gloria for the way she has represented our rich culture, resilient spirit, happiness and soulful hearts through her beautiful music!! She is a positive force for all latinos, so incredibly inspiring! You still got it beautiful one! Congrats Gloria on this Tiny Desk Concert!
She looks great, sounds great, band was great, she was jamming! It's hard to believe she's 68, she barely looks 48!🥰🎵🎶
Excellent!!! Thank you Tiny Desk for having Gloria Estefan on Indigenous Peoples Day. ❤
Can't describe how much I LOVE this.
My earliest memories are of a young me watching my mother dance to Gloria. Rhythm and Turn The Beat Around specifically. My mom passed away in September 2023. She would have loved this. ❤
She's Such A Legend! 🌷🌷🌷
El sonido de esa banda por Dios!!!!! Lo que es saber seleccionar bien a musicos de altura👌👌👌👌👌👌
This band is going crazy!
I dont speak Spanish and dont know what she was singing at all BUT she and that band sounds AMAZING!!! That Band is phenomenal!!❤❤
My favorite album of Gloria’s, “Mi Tierra”. All the songs are awesome. 90 Miles another good album.
Mi Terra no skips at all
Two-thirty in the morning, and here I am, dancing in my chair when I should be sleeping!
I used to listen to her music, enjoy it, and dance all of it in Venezuela. I used to get touched by the fact that she was an immigrant and little did I know that I will become an immigrant like her and in the same place, surrounded by her people ❤
It was a beautiful morning today as I listen to this and I hope you enjoy it day as much as I did.
Watching during lunch from Europe. I love how she acknowledges other members of the band.
Gloria is still a force!!!! The talent and constant evolution needed to stay relevant for almost 50 years is off the charts!!!!!
The QUEEN of Latin Pop. Gloria and MSM introduced me to Latin rhythms and culture in 1985 and I thank them forever. Her new album is beautiful. ❤
Gloria Estefan as a 5 am release is crazy. This should’ve been a mid day one
For me it's midday... crazy how the world works!
Different timezone exists
Considering that NPR Tiny Desk is my 6:30am shower music this new release is perfectly timed.
Gloria Estefan is “timeless”!
I didn’t mean literal time. They drop all the bigger artist mid day eastern time, she should’ve been one of them because she is a legend.
One of the biggest latino artist of all time 💜 such a talented woman
Shhh MOTHER IS MOTHERING 😍👑🔥🔥my queen, thank you so much for singing Hoy❤🇵🇪
Growing up in Miami, they would teach us about Gloria Estefan in elementary school! She means so much to the city.
What a pleasure - they bring such life to the beautiful Latin Afro Cuban sound 🎶🪘🪘
Woow esa versión de Conga estuvo increíbleee
That conga version was insanely fast and good !
Gloria Estefan is a legend
Gloria is a class act and an incredible performer.
She looks and sounds amazing! One of the greats from Cuba along with Celia Cruz, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, and Cachao. Even with the embargo and the dictatorship, happy the music from my cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed by the world. Un dia cuba sea libre! 🇨🇺
To kick off the week right, it’s gotta be Gloria Estefan. And this episode? Total time-travel vibes.
I dont't why I'm crying like a baby - this is so fantastic
Todos aquí a apoyar a la leyenda Gloria Stefan!!!!
Loved how she talks about how they came up with the songs. Almost 50 years of great music and Gloria is still making new music. Thank u for ur passion and creativity, you and Emilio are a legend and an inspiration to us
The way my Jamaican heart jumped when I saw this.. This woman is EVERYTHING!!!
Es la primera vez que llego tan temprano a un Tiny
Gloria Estefan for super bowl half time show.
20:28 Gloria eres eterna! Una precisión: los chilenos "Los Jaivas" también grabaron en Machu Picchu
Late to the party, but found this video at around 1:30 AM in the Philippines. I should be in bed but watched (and sometimes danced) through to the end! Love Gloria Estefan! Great music by her and the band on the Tiny Desk!
Un tributo en vida . Muy hermosa presentación. En un formato como este , tal vez hablar menos es más...
Esto es un lujazo. La orquesta perfectamente ensamblada, sonando genial. Armaron un fiestón latino en el Tiny Desk.
Soy Mexicano pero siempre he sentido que en mi vida pasada fui Cubano ❤️🩹
Dios bendiga a Cuba, saludos desde México! 🇨🇺🇲🇽 🙏🏻🥺
I CLICKED SO FAST!! She is my Entire Childhood!!! 🙏🏽👌🏽💯
Esta mujer vigente como siempre... música espectacular bien hecha un legado que perdura por siempre!!!
Gloria marked my youth in US as a young graduate student! Fab woman and once again, once again, absolutely everyone sounds great on Tiny Desk.
NPR What A Sweet Surprise! She’s an OG, Love Gloria! ❤
The Rhythm definitely got us and is still with us. 🎉❤Thank you Gloria and band ❤❤
This was epic! That Conga version needs to be re-recorded and released!!! Bravo!
Hearing Gloria sing Wrapped in the year of our lord 2025 was not on my Bingo card! Blessed! ❤❤
Acabo de encontrar esta joya... a cuántos latinos nos ayudo ella y su hermosa voz en los años 90´ a sobrellevar la ausencia de la tierra. por favor, si lo estas viendo dame un like para recordar volver. Saludos desde Colombia
Believe it or not, the Netflix movie Vivo is what brought Gloria back into my musical consciousness. I’ve heard the classics but grew a new appreciation for her. Clicked so fast on this video. Lemme get my dancing shoes.
Good enough. Younger generations always find these great artists in one way or the other. It's beautiful.
I grew up with my mom listening to Gloria...this music was always in our house. My favorite album of hers, "Mi Tierra." I know all the songs and lyrics :) Used to study her CD insert :)
100% No skips on that album.
I love you Gloria 🎉❤
I cried😢😢😢 watching this, remembering my dear father that passed two years ago, Djony de Sousa!!! Thank You Gloria for what You guys have shared with us. ❤
idk why am in tears watching this. Love seeing Latinos thriving.
Gracias, Gloria! Qué lindo arrancar la semana así.
I went on you tube bout to search for an rnb song to play and saw this pop up, let's pause from what we are doing and salute a fricken icon!!!!❤❤❤ Gloria Fricken Esteban!!!!
Me quedé muy prendido con el final, hermosa versión de Conga, felicidades Gloria te amamos !!!!
The Desk just got bigger .. Gloria's in the house .. Queen!! (& the Machine) .. Massive Respect!!
Gloria's voice was such a big part of my childhood! That first number just took me right back. Looks like the whole band was having a blast.
What a band!
Im having the best Monday in my whole life 🤩🤩🤩
I randomly dance all the time . At least once weekly when I get a strange look I say “ this is what Gloria was talking about, the rhythm got me” 😂 That song was out when I was little. I always thought she was so gorgeous and such an icon.
AGUANTEE GLORIAAA !!!!!
Una de las mejores productoras de música latina está señora
Hace mucho tiempo que no se veía interpretando música
Pero es excelente como canta
those percussionists have crazy mad skills
This took me back! My mom and grandma would play her music all the time when I was a kid back in the 90s.
That brought me to TEARS!!!! And also to my feet…to DANCE!!!!!Loved every second of this living legend!!!! WEPA!!!!!! 💃
Nostalgia y mucho nervio de ver a mi heroina casi sin voz. La vida nos pasa la cuenta a todos sin excepción, aún así disfrute mucho los recuerdos.
Estoy 2 meses tarde viendo a Gloria en Tiny Desk
Mi Tierra es pura nostalgia, una gran canción y un gran álbum 🥹🙌🏼❤️🩹
The great , beautiful Gloria estefan ...great role in the new gabby dollhouse movie 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
As a native of Miami, I can’t help but smile and reminisce on my childhood.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉A huge part of the soundtrack of my youth!!!
BEST TINY DESK EVER!!!
Amamos a esta mujer! Me encanta como su voz se vuelve más cálida y dulce cantando en español.