From the streets of the former Canal Zone to stages across the globe, Shorty & Slim have blended calypso, reggae, rock and folk into a sound that’s uniquely Panamanian. In the Early 1990s David Seitz (Shorty) and Alex Reyes (Slim) form the band, blending calypso and reggae with rock and folk and even hip hop!

Inspired by the tropical island rhythms of calypso and reggae, together with the heartfelt elements of rock and folk music, and including local traditional arrangements like the tamborito.

Their lyrics, sung in English and Spanish as well as in the Bajan dialect of the Barbadian and Jamaican immigrants who built the canal, are like a storybook filled with traditions and tales about growing up along this world-renowned waterway.

An appreciation for all things Panamanian, the love for the lush jungle nature of their surroundings, a spirit of equality among races and nationalities, and an overall positive message of happiness is what drives their music.