Honorary 'Latin Section' Members
These are all the fantastic musicians that I am proud to use regularly when one of the band can't make a performance:
VANCHO MANOILOVICH
Drums/Percussion
Country: Macedonia
Vancho has played with Roger Daltry, Expression Cubana featuring Steve Winwood, Dave Gilmore, Adalberto Santiago, Daniel Ponce, Orlando Watusi, Roberto Pla, Outside, Pleasure, Balangandan, and many Salsa stars. He also studied in Columbia, among other places.
ALEX WILSON
Keyboards
Country: British/Sierra Leone
Alex is a recording artist in his own right with 2 albums on Candid, and won the RISING STAR award at the BBC Jazz Awards. He has played for Jazz Jamaica, Tito Allen, Roberto Pla, Adalberto Santiago, Jesus Alemany, Merengada, Nu-Troop and T.V.'s with Marc Anthony. Until recently Alex was keyboardist with Courtney Pine.
STEVE DAWSON
Trumpet
Country: U.K.
Like Sid Gauld, Steve has sessioned for a huge amount of artists. We'll start with the Latin artists and work through: Henry Fiol, Alfredo Rodriguez, Azuquita, Adalberto Santiago, La Clevé, Cayenne, Roberto Pla, The Cure, Style Council (soloist), Marc Almond, Jimmy Page, Hugh Cornwell, Mezzoforte (soloist, Garden Party), Beverley Craven, Philip Bailey, Denice Williams, Beverley Knight, Gabrielle, Kid Creole, Ronan Keating, Jimmy Ruffin, Errol Brown, Edwin Starr, Leo Sayer and Lulu. As well as the big amount of BBC/ITV TV music and jingles, Steve has played on over 3,000 performances in the West End and National theatres.
JORGE POSADA-SANCHEZ
Bongos
Country: Columbia
Multi-percussionist Jorge has played with a huge amount of Salsa acts as you can see: Santa Marta All Stars, Cupido, Alcatraz, Kalao, Danzas Universidad del Magdalena (Folkloric), Juancho Torres y su Orchestra, Los Alfa 8, Tambores de Ellegua (Folkloric), Ballet de Columbia (Folkloric), Roberto Pla, Bombele, Sexteto Familia, Toque de Queda, Amanecar, and Alex Wilson, amongst many others.
JIMMY MARTINEZ
Bass
Country: Cuba
Jimmy now lives in London and we're glad to have him as, not only is he a great bass player, he also gives Cuban Music Workshops and teaches. He originally studied in Matanzas at the Music Academy and National School of Arts in Havana learning many skills and even joined a touring youth choir called 'Ebano y Marfil'. He formed his first band called ASERE with which he toured all over Europe and Latin America and, as well as a series of collaborations with Nigerian singer 'DIZZY', since living in London has formed his own band called EL EQUIPO and has played with Alex Wilson and U.K. based Cuban violinist Omar Puente.
CHRIS KIBBLE
Piano
Country: U.K.
Chris was the second pianist to record for us and we're still very proud to utilise his skills from time to time. As well as being a regular with both of Robin Jones' groups: King Salsa and Latin Jazz Sextet, Chris has played and/or recorded with Don Rendell, M-People, Pucho + The Latin Soul Brothers, Gordon Smith, Fuzz Against Junk (Nuphonic records) and has played at the legendary New York House music club: 'Body and Soul'. Chris currently records and plays for the European touring group of Terry Callier.
TERRY SEABROOK
Keyboards
Country: U.K.
Terry has his own excellent Latin Jazz group, Cubana Bop, but has also played and/or recorded for Joe Lee Wilson, Dave Valentin, Pucho, Bobby Matos, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker and Archie Shepp.
TRISTAN BANKS
Drums/Timbales
Country: U.K.
One of the busiest musicians I know, Brazilian music specialist, Tristan has played and/or recorded with Marcos Valle, Steve Howe, Dave Valentin, Terry Gallier, M.C. Conrad, Vida Nova, Pucho abd The Latin Soul Brothers, Alexander O'Neal, Robin Jones, Roberto Pla, Cubana Bop, Batu, Arakatuba, B.G.P. All Stars, Bazeado, Shinjuku Blues, Fischer - Z, Bah Samba and Da Lata, of course. Tristan is currently with Smoke City.
PETER 'MORENO' ECKFORD
Bongos
Country: U.K.
Multi percussionist Pete is virtually an institution in our scene. He co-runs one of the U.K.'s top Latin Jazz groups GRUPO X and is currently recording with both this band and Dave O'Higgins. Pete has also played and/or recorded with Norman Cook, The Last Poets, The Disposible Heroes of HipHoprisy, Tito Allen, Alfredo De La Fe, Orlando Watusi, Pucho, Bobby Matos, Johnny Blas, Alfredo Rodriguez, Steve Coogan, Bernie Marsden and Phil Daniels. He has recently become a D.J. and is also a record producer and, in fact, has his own record label called OPAIC.
JOHN CRAWFORD
Piano
Country: U.K./Spain
John has his own superb Brasilian group called VIDA NOVA and has recently been spending time in Spain learning Flamenco piano. He has played and/or recorded with Gary Burton, Dave Pike, Dave O'Higgins, Coup D'Etat, Giovanni Hildago, Eumir Deodato, Tito Allen, Bjork, The Braxtons, Adalberto Santiago, Cubanisimo, Jack Constanzo, Jimmy Bosch, Bobby Matos, La Clavé, Joao Pedro Pais, Pedro Camillo, Rui Veloso, Babyface, Dina Carroll, Andy Williams, Herman Oliviera, Viramundo, Negu Gorriak, 16B, Tanita Tikarem, Roberta Pla and plays regularly with the excellent Latin Jazz band GRUPO X.