Bacilos
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Jorge Villamizar |
| Headquarters | Miami , United States |
Area served | Latin America |
| Products | Studio albums, extended plays |
Bacilos is a Latin pop duo composed of Jorge Villamizar and André Lopes. Their discography includes seven studio albums and two extended plays. Their 2002 release, Caraluna, earned the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 2003 Grammy Awards, while their 2004 album Sin Vergüenza received a nomination for the same category in 2005. Among their most recognized tracks are "Mi Primer Millón" and "Caraluna".
The group’s original name was Bacilos Búlgaros, derived from the term bacilli, inspired by a traditional remedy from Villamizar’s grandmother, and also serving as a pun on the Spanish slang "vacilón," which denotes having a good time.
Although headquartered in Miami, Villamizar regards Bacilos as a "Latin American band," having achieved multiple chart-topping hits throughout Latin America.
History
In 1997, Colombian vocalist and guitarist Jorge Villamizar established Bacilos at the University of Miami, joining forces with Brazilian bassist André Lopes and Puerto Rican percussionist José Javier Freire. Initially formed as a quartet, they independently launched their debut album Madera in 1999.
Beginning with performances at university events, they gradually moved to intimate venues around Miami. By early 2000, Bacilos secured a contract with Warner Music Group and released their eponymous album Bacilos in May of that year. The album received two nominations at the Latin Grammy Awards and achieved gold status in Colombia. Their single Tabaco Y Chanel also garnered a Latin Grammy nomination.
In June 2002, Bacilos served as the opening act for Alejandro Sanz. The following month saw the release of Caraluna, which featured instrumental contributions such as violin by Pedro Alfonso. This album won both the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Album. The title track Caraluna climbed to number 16 on the Hot Latin Charts; meanwhile, Mi Primer Millón reached number 18 and earned the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song.
November 2003 brought a collaboration with Celso Piña on the track "Bésala Ya". Their subsequent album, Sin Vergüenza, produced by Tom Capone and Juan Vicente Zambrano and recorded across Brazil and Miami, was released in September 2004. Its lead single Pasos de Gigante attained number 8 on Hot Latin charts and topped charts in Argentina and Chile. This album was also nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the Grammys.
In July 2005, Bacilos appeared on Late Night With Conan O'Brien. By late 2006, the band announced their dissolution following their February 22, 2007 performance at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival. Afterward, Villamizar embarked on a solo career.
The group reunited in October 2017, releasing "Por Hacerme el Bueno" that same year along with their fourth studio album ¿Donde Nos Quedamos? in August 2018.
April 2021 marked the release of their fifth studio album, Abecedario, which included reimagined versions of hits such as Caraluna featuring Carlos Vives and Tobacco y Chanel with Morat. That year also saw José Javier Freire's departure from the ensemble.
In May 2024, Bacilos unveiled Pequeños Romances, an album compiling Villamizar’s earlier works alongside solo reinterpretations.
Artistic Style and Inspirations
The group found creative influence in Cuban folk vocalist Silvio Rodríguez as well as Argentine rock musician Fito Páez. Their sound is a fusion of Caribbean beats, South American traditional music, pop harmonies, and rock components.
Studio Albums
- Madera (1999)
- Bacilos (2000)
- Caraluna (2002)
- Sin Vergüenza (2004)
- ¿Donde Nos Quedamos? (2018)
- Abecedario (2021)
- Pequeños Romances (2024)
Extended Plays
- Cupido y Compañía (2020)
- Toca madera (2022)
Grammy Awards
|- | 2005 || Sin Vergüenza || Best Latin Pop Album || |- | 2003 || Caraluna || Best Latin Pop Album ||
Latin Grammy Awards
|- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 2001 || Bacilos || Best New Artist || |- |Bacilos || Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals || |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="6"| 2003 || Caraluna || Album of the Year || |- |rowspan="2"| "Mi Primer Millón" || Record of the Year || |- | rowspan="2"| Song of the Year || |- |"Caraluna" || |- |Caraluna || Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals || |- |"Mi Primer Millón" || Best Tropical Song || |- | 2005 || Sin Vergüenza || Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals ||