About

It’s time for latin music to get down

We’ve had the extravagant exhibitionism of salsa, the lyrical nostalgia of the Buena Vista Social Club. Now it’s time for British dance crowds to re-discover the low-down sweaty groove of the pachanga, the bugalu, the watusi, the shing-a-ling and the dance vibes of nuyorican 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Alma Latina (‘Latin Soul’) goes right to the source with tunes by Ray Barretto, Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri and Cal Tjader and the other hard groove merchants which kept the dance floors of Spanish Harlem packed for two decades. Alma Latina’s line-up follows the model of Eddie Palmieri’s classic ‘La Perfecta’ formation – with trombone and flute front line, plus the authentic back-line of congas, timbales, piano and bass.

The music is simple and direct. No special techniques or certificates in salsa proficiency are needed to respond to these irresistible dance rhythms.

Alma Latina is equally at home in a jazz club, a dance venue, a wedding or an outdoor festival. The music is definitely con sabor latino, but is not necessarily just for the latin purist. Just a brief look at some of our key performances over the last few years will show what a wide range of audiences appreciate the unique mix of dance styles created by Alma Latina.

Recent Festival Highlights

• 2005 Birmingham International Jazz Festival. Merry Hill Waterside, West Midlands
• 2006 BBC Radio WM ‘Mad about Music’ Festival. Brindleyplace, Birmingham City Centre
• 2008 Wichenford Blues Festival. Wichenford, Worcestershire
• 2008 The 16^th International Latin American Festival. Victoria Square, Birmingham City Centre
• 2009 Blues at The Fold. The Fold Arts Centre, Bransford, Ledbury
• 2009 Jinney Ring Blues Festival. Jinney Ring, Hanbury, Bromsgrove
• 2010 Taurus Festival. Lydney, Gloucestershire