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La Cuba Ritmo are passionate about creating and playing exceptional music. They are proud to have performed recently at The Salsa Congress in Bournemouth, Brecon Jazz Festival, Imperial Jazz Festival London, The Royal National Theatre, Ronnie Scotts, El Floridita, Carnival de Cuba, Bar Rumba, Jagz Jazz Club, and Cubana in London.
Playing an energetic mix of traditional Cuban salsa, son, timba Cubana, with a little cumbia, reggaeton and merengue for good measure, La Cuba Ritmo are available as a 5 or 6 piece band. |
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Bandleader and violinist Gabriel Fonseca, was born in Bayamo, Cuba. He studied violin at the National School of Music in Havana before joining the Santiago De Cuba Philharmonic Orchestra. He later went on to play with two of Cuba’s famous salsa bands, Original de Manzanillo and Candido Fabré y Su Banda with whom he recorded and toured around the world playing at clubs and festivals. Gabriel has performed or shared the stage with many Latin stars such as Los Van Van, Oscar D’Leon, Grupo Niché, Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Paquito de Rivera and more recently Eliades Ochoa, one of the original Buena Vista Social Club.
Based in London, Gabriel has played with various Latin Bands and has performed at such venues as Ronnie Scott’s, the Jazz Café, the Barbican and Bridgewater Hall. He performed solo violin on stage in the show “The President of an Empty Room” at the National Theatre. Gabriel now puts most of his time and energy into his own band La Cuba Ritmo. At the forefront of the band with his powerful electric violin, Gabriel is a fine melodic improviser with an impeccable technique.
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Oscar was born in Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of Cuban Son and first learnt to play the Tres taught by his father, Manolo. He was strongly influenced by the folklore and music of the tiny eastern village where he grew up.
Oscar started performing as a Tresero with Los Soneritos and then joined Creacion Juvenil, winners of ‘Most Popular Band’ : Festival Del Son, Songo La Maya (97’) Festival de Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba (99’). Oscar briefly studied at the Esteban Salas Conservatory in Santiago de Cuba and then joined Son Del Caiman in Varadero, winners of best Septet in traditional Cuban music (2004). Oscar moved to London and became an upright bass player with La Cuba Ritmo in 2008.
He has recorded four albums including “Matahambre Son” - Pequenas Historias del Oriente de Cuba (2000) and “Llego la Rumba” with Son Del Caiman (2006). His favourite musician is the renowned Cuban Tres player “Coto” of the Cuban All Stars.
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Lead singer Leo was born in Havana, Cuba. He took part in various youth festivals and concerts as a youngster and gradually began formal acting and vocal training, playing parts in theatre and on national television.
By the age of 20, Leo had joined the salsa band Alto Voltaje and performed regularly in clubs around Havana. He came to live in England 3 years later and became lead singer in the West End show “Lady Salsa”. After the show ran it’s course in London, he toured around the world with Lady Salsa, as far afield as Australia, eventually settling in Spain. Leo has now relocated back to England and is La Cuba Ritmo’s lead vocalist. His powerful voice and unique style make him an essential part of the band’s chemistry.
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Born 20th December 1981 in Santiago de Cuba, René has been playing keyboard, singing and arranging for La Cuba Ritmo since May 2008.
As a tenor in the Choir of the Conservatorio Esteban Salas Music School of Santiago de Cuba, he has taken part in six international choral festivals alongside choirs of the rank of the Swedish National Choir, the National Choir of San Francisco, USA and the Chamber Choirs of Canada and Denmark. From 2001 to 2007 René was lead trombonist in Sur Caribe, one of the most famous groups in Cuba over the past decade. Sur Caribe scored several huge hits in Cuba and won several national prizes, including Best Selling CD of 2006 category of the CubaDisco music fair in Havana.
René recorded four albums with Sur Caribe, three of them as trombonist and vocalist and the most recent “Añoranza por la Conga” as co-producer as well. He has worked with a number of major record labels on recording projects, with four albums recorded for labels such as Fonovisa in Mexico, Warner and Sony music US, including one with the Santa Barbara line up.
Playing live, René has taken part in a number of big international events such as the Glastonbury Festival (2006 and 2007) and Electric Picnic, Ireland (2007) sharing the stage with George Clinton, Sinead O’Connor and Franz Ferdinand. More recently with La Cuba Ritmo at; Brecon Jazz festival, Salsa Congress in Bournemouth, Imperial Jazz Festival London, The National Theatre and Carnival de Cuba.
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Congas are the heartbeat of Cuban rhythm and Randy is one of the finest congueros here in the UK. Born in Santiago de Cuba, Randy is a former member of the Cuban band Sur Caribe.
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On timbales, from Camaguey, Cuba is Michel. His talent as an excellent drummer/percussionist combined with Randy on congas ensures La Cuba Ritmo have a red hot percussion section!
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For the latest on La Cuba Ritmo and information on when and where we are playing visit our facebook group.
Why not sign up so you never have to miss out on one of the most enjoyable musical experiences around?
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Our impressive and powerful PA consists of:-
Mackie PA – for smaller venues
2 Active subwoofers SWA1501 – 500 watts each
Active SRM 450 speakers at 400-450 watts each
2 Mackie Mixers – 12 channels and 20 channels
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TW Audio – for between 50 and 20,000 people
4 B30 Subwoofers – 2000 Watts each – peak 4,000 watts
4 M12 tops – 700 watts each – peak 1,400 watts each
TW Audio/Hoellstern amplifier
La Cuba Ritmo also have the very highest quality instruments –
an excellent, crystal clear sound is extremely important to us.
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La Cuba Ritmo’s reliable wheels can carry 6 musicians and a full PA.
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