The band was founded towards the end of 1999 by Patricio Sobrado, initially as a trio, playing traditional Cuban music in the style of the Buena Vista Social Club.
Today, Calle Real consists of the following members: Thomas Sebastian Eby - lead vocals Patricio Sobrado - tres, backing vocals & band leader Karl Frid - giro, backing vocal & trombone Gunnar Thullberg - keyboard & guitar Andreas Unge - bass Rickard Valdés - congas & timbales Harry Wallin - drums & timbales Michel Zitron - backing vocals Kristian Persson - trombone Peter Fredriksson - trombone Jacek Onuskiewicz - trumpet Nils Janson - trumpet Several of them have spent long periods in Cuba and have studied music, although no one in the band is actually Cuban except Rickard Valdés, who is the son of the legendary pianist Bebo Valdés and who is half Cuban.
The fact that Calle Real was able to adopt this style is somewhat remarkable despite growing interest in Spanish and Latin-American culture.
Most impressive of all is the fact that a group of young Swedish musicians have successfully mastered this complex style of Cuban.
The band recorded five songs, which eventually led to the group's debut album "Calle Real con Fuerza".