This sensational band produce the hottest sounds of the Latin dance explosion - irresistable rhythms with universal appeal. Specialising in son and salsa for the club scene, their repertoire of favorite hits and original material also includes merengue, cumbia and soca to suit the wider festival audience.
Formed in 1989 and based in Devon, ALKASALSA have been described as being at the forefront of the U.K. salsa-scene. They have established a reputation on both sides of the Channel, kicking up a storm at major festivals. Headlining at Brest Festival for a crowd of 20,000 ended with a rapturous stage invasion during the encore. They have entertained 50,000 crowded on and around Birmingham's Centenary Square, and were flown to Belfast to join Jools Holland for the city's New Year 2001celebrations.
Strong on vocals, the line-up features sonora Petronella Coolen plus a 4-part coro-section. A solid core of percussion (congas, bongos and timbales), bass and piano, is punctuated by a blistering horn-section: trumpet, trombone, flute and saxes.
Last year saw the release of their debut C.D.album ANIMENSE! funded by an award from the 'Arts for Everyone' scheme. The album includes new material written for the band by its' leader Jonny Nance which has been warmly praised in Havana. It has received national airplay in Cuba, and on numerous regional radio stations in the U.K.