Salsa Sabrosa is a ten piece salsa band formed by an experienced group of Midlands jazz musicians. Between them, they’ve played with, among others, funk bands Afro Elements, Mr Gone, and the Usual Suspects, jazzers Moment’s Notice, Meantime, and The Rhythm Section, and Birmingham salseros Mambo Taxi. They play a combination of originals, arrangements and authentic salsa tunes, from the ’50’s to the ’90’s - montunos, sambas, mambos and soca. They’re based in Leicester, but play all over the Midlands.
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Back row, left to right: Paul Whistler - Drum kit; Jon Sykes - Bass; Darren McHarg - Timbales; Nick Hislam - Tenor, soprano saxes; Rod Lee - Trumpet Middle row, left to right: Nick Jones Alto sax; Arturo Martin - vocals, percussion; Neil Hunter - Keyboards Front row: Debbie Robinson - vocals, percussion; Graham Bowden - Congas, Bongos. |
At their first gig, the Leicester City Beat ’98 Festival at The Y, the Leicester Mercury reviewer described them as "some of the city’s best jazz musicians on a Latin trip", and commented "Salsa Sabrosa added to the cool atmosphere..."
They’ve done a whole range of gigs since then, from student Balls, through charity and social events, to restaurants. Their two Sunday lunchtime gigs at the Phoenix café bar in Leicester - one in Autumn ’98 and one in Summer ’99 - both drew packed houses of enthusiastic salsa fans - not only dancing in the venue itself but even in the square outside!
They also appeared at BBC Music Live - Leicester Street Festival, and were broadcast live in the East Midlands.
They are also appeared at Humberstone Gate as part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The soundbite here was recorded at their City Beat (first) gig from a single mic. by the mixing desk, then edited to give a flavour of our live feel, with shortened versions of four numbers - Mas Bajo, Philadelphia, Carnaval (by local jazz saxophone player and composer Andy Nichols), and Ron Con Con.
To book: call: 020- 8808 4290 or email: info@salsadirect.co.uk
